Tokyo, Oct. 27 (Jiji Press)–GMO Internet Inc. said Tuesday that personal information of 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 is working to confirm the content of the disclosed information and determine whether anybody else suffers damage. 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. It urged customers to conduct virus scans on their devices and back up data. GMO Internet has said that due to unauthorized access to servers for automated foreign exchange margin trading services, personal information on users may have been compromised. The company said Saturday that it has made an urgent request for the Japanese government to implement “active cyber defense” operations in the wake of the unauthorized access. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
