Tokyo, Oct. 27 (Jiji Press)–GMO Internet Inc. said Tuesday that personal information that is believed to belong to a customer was disclosed by those who conducted unauthorized access to its systems. According to security company officials and other sources, GMO Internet did not meet a request for a payment by the deadline on noon the same day. The potential attackers claim they will continue to release information daily at noon. GMO Internet said it will make a special consolation payment of up to 3 million yen to customers if their personal information is exposed. The company said it maintains its policy of not complying with the attackers’ demands and will set up a window on Wednesday to gather information that could help identify the perpetrators. It will offer rewards of up to 1 million dollars, or about 158 million yen, for such information. To prevent secondary damage, the company is asking the public not to share the disclosed information on social media. Late Monday night, GMO Internet posted on its website information on its response to the unauthorized access that hit the company recently, saying that it has collected personal computers and other devices from customers for investigation and analysis to confirm the extent of damage and take countermeasures. GMO Internet has secured cooperation from companies including information security expert Trend Micro Inc. in conducting a related investigation. On Monday, GMO Internet announced that those believed to be the attackers demanded 50 million dollars, threatening to disclose customer information and conduct a ransomware attack. The company urged customers to check their devices for viruses, back up their data by noon Tuesday, turn the devices off and unplug them. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
