UK internet provider PlusNet has told its customers to change their email account passwords, after hackers broke into the firm's mail server and stole a list of email addresses. Those addresses were then bombarded with junk emails, and some were even exposed to viruses.
The company responded to the attack by shutting down its webmail service, preventing customers from accessing their emails, while it dealt with the problem. The service has now been resumed and the issue of unsolicited spam email has been resolved, but the company admits the investigation into it "has taken longer than originally expected". A full incident report is planned to be released later this week.
The exact number of email addresses stolen is unknown by the company. PlusNet has advised that as a precaution, customers should change their password by visiting the Member Centre, clicking on Account Details and selecting Change Password. Once the account password has been changed it will then need to be updated in the router and modem as well as the browser.
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