Get 40% Off
🚨 Volatile Markets? Find Hidden Gems for Serious OutperformanceFind Stocks Now

Australia's Medibank drops after ransomware attack in IT network

Published 10/16/2022, 06:41 PM
Updated 10/17/2022, 04:17 PM
© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A woman walks past a branch of the Australian health insurer Medibank Private in Sydney October 20, 2014.   REUTERS/David Gray

(Reuters) -Shares of Medibank Private Ltd dived nearly 5% on Monday even after the Australian health insurer assured clients that normal business operations have resumed following an attempted ransomware attack on its network.

The company, which reaffirmed that there was no evidence that customer data had been removed from the network, is on track to mark its worst day in 2-1/2 years. Shares of Medibank fell as much as 4.8% to A$3.350, their lowest level since July 19.

That was the latest in a string of cyber attacks in recent weeks to rock corporate Australia including a breach at second-largest telecoms provider Optus, which compromised data of up to 10 million customers and at a Woolworths unit that exposed data of nearly 2.2 million users.

Medibank said last Thursday it would isolate and remove access to some customer-facing systems after it detected unusual activity on its network.

The company said its investigation indicated that its cyber security systems had detected activity "consistent with the precursor to a ransomware event" but that its systems were not encrypted by ransomware.

There was no indication that the incident was caused by a "state-based threat actor", the company said, adding that an investigation into the incident would continue.

It said its business was tracking in line with its fiscal 2023 forecast and would be unaffected by the incident.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.