Just in: British Airways has been hacked
mainMessage to frequent flyers:
Customer data theft
We are investigating, as a matter of urgency, the theft of customer data from our website and our mobile app the stolen data did not include travel or passport details. From 22:58 BST August 21 2018 until 21:45 BST September 5 2018 inclusive, the personal and financial details of customers making bookings on our website and app were compromised. The breach has been resolved and our website is working normally. We have notified the police and relevant authorities. We are deeply sorry for the disruption that this criminal activity has caused. We take the protection of our customers’ data very seriously.
We are investigating, as a matter of urgency, the theft of customer data from our website and our mobile app. The stolen data did not include travel or passport details.
From 22:58 BST August 21 2018 until 21:45 BST September 5 2018 inclusive, the personal and financial details of customers making bookings on our website and app were compromised.
The breach has been resolved and our website is working normally. We have notified the police and relevant authorities.
We are deeply sorry for the disruption that this criminal activity has caused. We take the protection of our customers’ data very seriously.
What to do if you have been affected
If you believe you have been affected by this incident, then please contact your bank or credit card provider and follow their recommended advice.
This criminal hack appears to have gone undetected for two whole weeks. Where was BA’s data protection?
why should we, musicians care this from your site?
Believe it or not, a whole lot of musicians fly on BA.
It’s a message to frequent flyers, which many musicians and people in the music industries are. It’s a public service to carry it, and I imagine many websites are carrying it today, whatever their interest. Anyone who was involved with BA in the relevant period shares in the risk, and the more opportunities there are to alert them, the better.
I want someone to hack into the system and give free tickets to self identified classical musicians, and free seats for their instruments.
BoringFileClerk says that airlines should “give free tickets to self identified classical musicians, and free seats for their instruments.”
Really? OK, let’s explore this idea.
I’m a professional chorister, do I get a free seat for my music folder?
I’m a pro piccolo player. Do I get a free seat for my instrument?
I’m a pro astronomer. Do I get a free seat for my telescope?
I’m a pro electrician. Do I get a free seat for my tools?
I’m a pro writer. Do I get a free seat for my computer + printer + reams of paper? how about a free seat for my editor?
I’m a pro architect. Do I get a free seat for my drafting board or CAD system?
I’m a pro pianist. OMG! Do I get a free seat for my 8-foot grand? JUST KIDDING!! I meant to say, do I get free shipping in the cargo hold for my 8-foot concert grand? BUT IT HAS TO BE CLIMATE CONTROLLED AND GUARDED 24-7 OR ELSE I’LL REPORT YOU ON SD!!! OMG!
I’m a pro sculptor. Do I get a free seat for my latest work-in-progress?
I’m a pro politician. Do I get a free seat for my aide?
I’m a pro photographer. Do I get a free seat for my tripod, lenses, and other gear?
I’m a pro golfer. Do I get a free seat for my fancy schmancy golf bag?
I’m a pro orchestral conductor. Do I get a free seat for my case of batons and all my full scores?
ETC ETC ETC AD NAUSEUM
Why should the airlines subsidize any industries or professions? Why should classical musicians be treated any differently than any other professional travelers?
Again, I call on musicians’ unions to take some sort of practical action.
boringfileclerk, I realize that your comment was satire.
Perhaps those other professions just need to grab a page out of airlines’ rulebooks…
Professional choristers, piccolo players and pianists perform concerts at pianississississimo levels. Customers desiring a more audible concert experience, may increase the volume by paying a per db fee.
Pro astronomers supply telescopic imagery with the lowest resolution available. To enhance your viewing experience, you may purchase additional pixels for a small fee to improve clarity.
Pro electricians charge you a flat-rate to wire your house; included are only one light switch and one wall socket “per two spaces”. After you spend days arguing with them about their vague and/or gratuitous definition of what constitutes ‘two spaces’, they inform you that, being a discerning customers who values having a more functional space, you may secure said space by paying additional per switch/per socket fees.
Pro writers condense a 300 page book into 30 pages by using a nanoscale font (in light of rising paper costs and to remain economically competitive with other writers). If you wish to read with greater ease and without the use of a powerful microscope, 0.5pt font increases may be purchased for a small fee.
etc pp. 😉
Same thing happened to Air Canada.
I wonder if hackers are looking for high mileage frequent fliers’ credit card info…