NCSC response to Uber data breach

22 Nov 2017 11:49 AM

An official statement from the National Cyber Security Centre on the Uber data breach.

A spokesperson for the National Cyber Security Centre said:

“Companies should always report any cyber attacks to the NCSC immediately. The more information a company shares in a timely manner, the better able we are to support them and prevent others falling victim.

“We are working closely with other agencies including the NCA and ICO to investigate how this breach has affected people in the UK and advise on appropriate mitigation measures.

“Based on current information, we have not seen evidence that financial details have been compromised.”

Further information

• If a member of the public thinks they have been a victim of cyber crime or cyber-enabled fraud, they should contact Action Fraud
• If you have been told that your personal details, such as your password, may have been accessed, you should ensure those details are not used on any other accounts
• Victims of cyber crime should be vigilant against suspicious phone calls or targeted emails

NCSC advice on phone calls

• If you do receive a phone call that is suspicious - for example, one that asks you for security information - do not divulge any information, and hang up. 
• Pick up the phone and make sure there is a dial tone to ensure the caller is not still on the line. 
• Contact the organisation that the caller claimed to be from – never using the details they provided during the call.

NCSC advice on targeted emails 

• Fraudsters can use the data they’ve acquired to make their phishing messages look much more credible, including using real names and statements such as: 'To show this is not a phishing email, we have included the month of your birth and the last 3 digits of your phone number'.
• These phishing messages may not relate to the organisation that has been breached, and may use more well-known brands. The NCSC has guidance on protecting yourself from phishing.
• Usually, if you are the target of a phishing message, your real name will not be used. However, if fraudsters do have your name, people will need to be extra vigilant around any message that purports to be from an organisation they deal with - especially when there are attachments or links which take people to sites asking for more personal information.

​​​​​​​If members of the public think they have been a victim of online crime, they can report a cyber incident using Action Fraud’s online fraud reporting tool any time of the day or night, or call 0300 123 2040. For further information visit www.actionfraud.police.uk

The UK Government is fully committed to defending against digital threats and set up the NCSC last year through the five-year National Cyber Security Strategy, supported through £1.9 billion transformative investment.

​​​​​​​The NCSC works in a transparent manner and relies on good relationships with industry and government partners. In its first year, the NCSC managed 590 significant cyber incidents across the UK and is preventing tens of millions of attacks every week through pioneering Active Cyber Defence measures.