On Twitter and a web forum frequented by hackers, cyber criminals and security researchers, there is a buzz that data of 375 million Airtel users has been leaked and is being sold at a reasonable price. However, Airtel has quickly said that this buzz is baseless. The company says that the hacker claiming to have Airtel users’ data is just trying to fool people. They categorically deny that there has been any breach in Airtel systems.

An Airtel spokesperson told India Today Tech, “There have been reports alleging that Airtel customer data has been compromised. This is nothing less than a desperate attempt by vested interests to tarnish Airtel’s reputation. We have conducted a thorough investigation and can confirm that there has been no breach of Airtel systems.”

The buzz began when a Twitter account called FalconFeeds.ai shared a screenshot of a forum post in which a hacker – identified as xenZen – was selling data of 375 million Airtel users. The post was made on BeachForums, where users often buy and sell stolen data.

According to the Beachforum post, the data includes the following:

– mobile number
– Name
– Dates of Birth
– father’s name
– Addresses
– email id
– Gender and nationality
– Aadhaar number
– Photo ID proof details
– Address Proof Details

While there is no clarity on whether this alleged data of 375 million customers is actually in the hands of a hacker or hackers, and if there has been a breach in Airtel systems, security researchers believe it is not fake. Nicholas Crassus, who works with Henkel AG to combat cybersecurity threads, retweeted information about the alleged Airtel data breach.

Srinivas Kodali, who often comments on cybersecurity matters in India, was more explicit in his comments. He wrote on Twitter, “Airtel has been hacked by a China-based threat actor. He listed data of 37.5 crore Airtel customers for sale, including their Aadhaar numbers. The person who listed this data for sale on the breach forum has now been suspended on the forum. India’s Data Protection Act is still not activated.”

While Airtel has denied that its systems have been breached, it is important to note that – whether you are an Airtel user or not – data belonging to Indian companies has been leaked or hacked before. And whether you have been affected or not, it is important to follow certain cyber-security best practices. Essentially, you should:

– Change passwords frequently: Update passwords for all online accounts linked to infected email addresses.

– Monitor accounts: Regularly check bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.

— Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security to online accounts.

– Beware of phishing attempts: Avoid clicking on suspicious links or providing personal information to unverified sources.