Ragnar Locker Ransomware Attack on TAP Air Portugal

In August 2022, TAP Air Portugal, the flag carrier of Portugal, fell victim to a cybersecurity breach orchestrated by the Ragnar Locker ransomware gang. This incident led to the unauthorized disclosure of over five million unique email addresses. Additionally, sensitive personal information such as names, genders, dates of birth, phone numbers, and physical addresses were compromised and subsequently leaked on a public dark web site.

As the largest airline in Portugal, TAP Air Portugal accounted for more than half of the traffic at Lisbon International Airport in 2019. The airline has historically emphasized its dedication to the security of customer data. CEO Christine Ourmieres-Widener has publicly affirmed the company's commitment to safeguarding personal information against cyber threats.

The specific vulnerabilities exploited in this attack have not been detailed in public disclosures. Nonetheless, it is clear that the attackers successfully infiltrated the airline's digital infrastructure and extracted sensitive customer data. This breach underscores the critical need for continuous enhancement of cybersecurity protocols to deter such threats.

Sources

• FlyTAP – TAP's official website
• Account Data Breach: TAP Air Portugal - DOIT (UMBC)
• Portugal's TAP says hackers stole, published passengers' personal data - Reuters
• Ragnar Locker ransomware claims attack on Portugal's flag airline - BleepingComputer
• TAP Air Portugal confirms hack, as Ragnar Locker gang leaks data - ZDNet