Virgin Media reports database breach

Virgin Media reported a breach that allowed unauthorised access to the cable company’s database that contained personal information of about 900,000 customers.

Virgin Media reported a breach that allowed unauthorised access to the cable company’s database that contained personal information of about 900,000 customers. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Virgin Media, owned by Liberty Global, on Thursday reported a breach that allowed unauthorised access to the cable company's database that contained personal information of about 900,000 customers.

The company said the breach did not happen due to a hack but occurred as the database was incorrectly configured. The database did not include any passwords or financial details and was accessible from April 2019 until February 28, 2020, it added.

The database, however, included limited contact information such as names, home and email addresses and phone numbers.

Virgin Media CEO Lutz Schuler said the company recently became aware of the issue and immediately shut down access to the affected database.

The company, which is conducting an ongoing investigation, said it believes the database was accessed at least once but does not know the extent of the access.