Data On 34 Million Passports Of Indonesian Citizens Leaked, Kaspersky: The Risk Can Continue For The Long Term

JAKARTA - Some time ago, allegations of leakage of more than 34 million Indonesian passport data were found. The data was then traded on a dark website for 10,000 US dollars or around Rp. 150 million.

This leak was allegedly carried out by a hacker called Bjorka, a hacker who had also leaked some of the previous Indonesian data, including data from PeduliLindung users, the MyPertamina application, to important presidential documents.

The data sold includes several information including passport numbers, validity date of passport, full name, date of birth, gender and others.

Responding to this issue, Kaspersky as a global cybersecurity company also responded by saying that this data leak could carry a lot of risks, not only government or business, but also individuals who are victims.

"We are aware that reports of alleged passport data leaks have been reported to have disseminated full-name information, passport numbers, passport expiration date, date of birth, and other confidential data listed in Indonesian passports. At any time, leaked information in the hands of cybercriminals allows them to imitate or spread social engineering fraud," said Adrian Hia, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky in a response received in Jakarta.

According to him, with open data, hackers can contact you either online or offline. They can also send dozens of messages, mark residences, commit unlawful financial transactions by pretending to be you or even storing your personal data to sell them for further financial gain.

It doesn't stop there, Hia also stated that the risk of data breaches like this usually continues for the long term. Where open data used by cybercriminals can change anyone's way of life.

"And this danger is not only limited to the government or business sector because even ordinary individuals can be severely affected," he concluded.