311,000 families from Limburg victims of cyber attack on Limburg.net: “Be careful, because the data can end up in the hands of people with bad intentions” | Hasselt

The cyber attack on Limburg.net dates back to December 13. “For safety reasons, all systems were shut down immediately to prevent further damage,” the organization said. website. “The extent of the breach has now been clearly established. Because we take this very seriously as an organisation, we want to provide you with clear information to limit any negative consequences for you.

The site explains that the hackers hacked into an old data server and were thus able to copy many documents. “These servers only contain public or very old data. The investigation shows that the hackers did not enter the underlying systems,” says Limburg.net. According to the organization, this concerns personal data from 2014 and 2015 for 311,000 people who were registered as heads of household on January 1, 2014. and/or January 1, 2015 in the following municipalities: Alken, Beringen, Bocholt, Borgloon, Bry, Diepenbeek, Diest, Genk, Hallein, Hamm, Hammont-Achille, Hasselt, Hechtel-Ixelle, Herz, Herc-du-Stade, Heusden- Zolder, Hesselt, Huthalen-Hellshtern, Kenroi, Korthessem, Leopoldsburg, Lommel, Lommen, Maaseck, Maasmechelen, Moen-Gruytrude, Nerbelt, Neuerkerken, Overbelt, Beer, Riemst, Sint-Truiden, Tessenderlo, Tongeren, Sonhoven.

Data such as ID numbers, passwords, login details, account numbers or bank card numbers will not be stolen. “There is a possibility that this data will be illegally distributed on the Dark Web and thus fall into the hands of people with bad intentions. The Dark Web is the deepest layer of the Internet. It cannot be accessed via usual search engines,” the organization said. “As a result, Criminals may try to contact you to obtain personal information such as passwords or banking details. Information you post yourself or have publicly on your social media profiles can also be misused. The fact that no email addresses, phone numbers, account numbers, ID numbers or bank card numbers were leaked during the cyberattack makes it more difficult for them to contact or defraud you.

Limburg.net invites you to remain alert when you are asked to provide personal data. “Especially if you receive messages from organizations that you were not expecting. In this case, please contact that agency first to avoid misunderstandings.

Anyone who wishes to request specific information can ask his personal question through the website, www.limburg.net/meldingen. Click the “Submit Report” button below. Then select your municipality and the “Cyber ​​Attack” category.