The Norauto chain, renowned for its car maintenance services, confirmed to an AFP journalist on Tuesday that it had been the victim ofa data leak affecting 78,000 customers, including some ID numbers. ” Norauto has been the victim of an act of cyber-maliciousness. The investigations carried out by our teams mobilized on the subject indicate that personal data specifically linked to our rental service have been targeted “, the company said.
Cyber-attack against Norauto: a data leak that causes concern
Norauto, a major player in car maintenance, has confirmed a cyberattack that resulted in the exfiltration of personal data linked to its rental service. In an email to its customers, the company states that the compromised information includes surname, first name, postal address, email, telephone number and, in some cases, the ID number shared at the time of rental. However, banking data and customer account passwords are not affected. But the data exfiltrated remains particularly worrying, as it can be used to impersonate victims at various financial or administrative institutions. Customers affected by this latest data leak must remain vigilant.
The flaw exploited by the cybercriminals was quickly corrected by technical teams. Norauto has also declared that it has informed the CNIL and filed a complaint in accordance with regulations on the protection of personal data. In its message, Norauto invites its customers to redouble their vigilance to prevent any attempt at identity theft.
A leak confirmed by Norauto and relayed on social networks
Norauto has sent an email to its customers informing them of a data leak linked to its rental service, including ID numbers. This official communication was followed by an alert on social networks, posted by Clément Domingo, aka SaxX.
In his post on X, this cybersecurity expert points out the serious implications of ID number theft, including the increased risk of identity theft, and calls for caution. This relay has raised awareness among a wider public of the importance of adopting immediate precautionary measures to limit the potential impact of this leak.
Breach revealed on BreachForums
A few days before this official announcement, information potentially linked to this cyberattack was published on BreachForums, a forum frequented by cybercriminals. According to 01Net, a hacker claimed to have accessed “an administration panel for managing payment” at Norauto, enabling the exfiltration of 78,000 lines of data. The cybercriminal then allegedly offered this information for sale for 200 euros, with a 50-euro option for access to a simple directory.
To date, neither the authenticity of the published data nor its direct link with the Norauto leak has been confirmed. Nevertheless, this attack once again puts a French company in the spotlight, joining the long list of victims in 2024, such as Free, SFR, Picard. Truffaut, Boulanger, Le Point, Schneider Electric and recently Guy Demarles.
Potential problems associated with ID theft
The theft of identity document numbers is particularly serious, as it opens the door to many forms of fraud. Cybercriminals could use this information to create false documents, take out loans or open bank accounts under a false identity. This type of fraud can have disastrous consequences for victims, including long-term legal and financial problems.
It is also possible that this data could be resold on various black markets, amplifying the risk of multiple fraudulent uses. According to many experts, such a situation calls for increased vigilance on the part of companies and individuals alike.
Reactions and measures taken by Norauto
As soon as the cyber-attack was discovered, Norauto reacted swiftly to contain the leak. The company took care to notify its affected customers via an e-mail explaining the ins and outs of the situation. At the same time, Norauto corrected the security flaw and informed the Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL) in order to comply with current legal obligations in France.
Despite these rapid actions, fear persists among affected customers. Being proactive by quickly modifying any vulnerable data and closely monitoring any suspicious activity can help minimize potential damage.
Concrete actions to protect data
For users, a few precautions remain essential, with a view to prevention. Here are a few practical tips to reinforce the protection of your personal data:
- Regularly check your bank accounts: constant monitoring can quickly detect unauthorized transactions.
- Use strong, unique passwords: although passwords were not compromised in this attack, it remains crucial to strengthen them to prevent further intrusions.
- Subscribe to a credit monitoring service: this additional measure can help to detect any attempts at identity fraud more quickly.
These steps are essential to reduce the risks associated with data breaches and offer better protection against identity theft.
Lessons and challenges for cybersecurity
There are many lessons to be learned from this cyberattack. On the one hand, it highlights the importance of strengthening information systems, particularly those handling critical data such as rental services or online payments.
This attack also shows the extent to which hackers target companies of all sizes and sectors. To protect yourself effectively, it is essential to invest in advanced cybersecurity solutions and to raise employee awareness of the risks of cyberattacks. Increased monitoring of sensitive data and regular backups can limit the impact in the event of an incident.
This cyber attack is a reminder of the need for everyone to remain vigilant in a context where data leaks are multiplying. While Norauto has taken immediate action in response to this cyber attack, the challenge for businesses lies in preventing and anticipating increasingly sophisticated attacks.
