E-Business
Microsoft Exposes 250m Customer Records
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Over the New Year, software giant Microsoft exposed nearly 250 million customer service and support (CSS) records on the Web.
This is according to UK-based firm Comparitech, which says the records contained logs of conversations between Microsoft support agents and customers from all over the world, spanning a 14-year period from 2005 to December 2019.
All of the data was left accessible to anyone with a Web browser, with no password or other authentication needed, the firm says.
The Comparitech security research team led by Bob Diachenko uncovered five Elasticsearch servers, each of which contained an apparently identical set of the 250 million records.
Diachenko immediately notified Microsoft upon discovering the exposed data, and Microsoft took swift action to secure it.
“We’re thankful to Bob Diachenko for working closely with us so that we were able to quickly fix this misconfiguration, analyse data and notify customers as appropriate,” says Eric Doerr, general manager of Microsoft.
Timeline of the exposure
Comparitech says in total, the data was exposed for about two days before it alerted Microsoft and the records were secured.
– 28 December 2019: The databases were indexed by search engine BinaryEdge.
– 29 December 2019: Diachenko discovered the databases and immediately notified Microsoft.
– 30 and 31 December 2019: Microsoft secured the servers and data. Diachenko and Microsoft continued the investigation and remediation process.
– 21 January 2020: Microsoft disclosed additional details about the exposure as a result of the investigation.
“I immediately reported this to Microsoft and within 24 hours all servers were secured,” Diachenko says.
“I applaud the Microsoft support team for responsiveness and quick turnaround on this despite [it being] New Year’s Eve. We do not know if any other unauthorised parties accessed the database during that time.”
Diachenko explains that most of the personally identifiable information – e-mail aliases, contract numbers and payment information – was redacted.
However, he points out that many records contained plain text data, including but not limited to customer e-mail addresses, IP addresses, locations, descriptions of CSS claims and cases, Microsoft support agent e-mails, case numbers, resolutions and internal notes marked as “confidential”.
Comparitech notes that even though most personally identifiable information was redacted from the records, the dangers of this exposure should not be underestimated.
The data could be valuable to tech support scammers, in particular, it says.
“Tech support scams entail a scammer contacting users and pretending to be a Microsoft support representative. These types of scams are quite prevalent, and even when scammers don’t have any personal information about their targets, they often impersonate Microsoft staff. Microsoft Windows is, after all, the most popular operating system in the world,” the firm says.
It points out that with detailed logs and case information in hand, scammers stand a better chance of succeeding against their targets.
“If scammers obtained the data before it was secured, they could exploit it by impersonating a real Microsoft employee and referring to a real case number. From there, they could phish for sensitive information or hijack user devices.
“Microsoft customers and Windows users should be on the lookout for such scams via phone and e-mail. Remember that Microsoft never proactively reaches out to users to solve their tech problems – users must approach Microsoft for help first. Microsoft employees will not ask for your password or request that you install remote desktop applications like TeamViewer. These are common tactics among tech scammers,” Comparitech says.
E-Business
NAICOM Urges Nigerian Insurers to Develop Cyber Insurance Products
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National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has urged Nigerian insurance companies to develop and introduce cyber insurance products.
This is in response to the escalating digital risks accompanying global digitalization.
This initiative aims to provide coverage against cyber threats and data breaches, ensuring that businesses and individuals are protected in the evolving digital landscape.
To facilitate this development, NAICOM is collaborating with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
This partnership seeks to promote cyber insurance and ensure compliance with Nigeria’s Data Protection Regulations, emphasising the importance of data protection training for industry practitioners.
Despite the growing threat of cybercrime, cyber insurance remains underutilised in Nigeria. Industry reports indicate that many businesses and individuals overlook the importance of cyber insurance, even as global cybercrime losses are projected to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025.
NAICOM’s directive underscores the need for the insurance industry to adapt to the digital era by offering products that address contemporary risks, thereby enhancing the resilience of Nigeria’s digital economy.
E-Business
Google Increases Price of Google One Subscription in Nigeria
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Google has increased the price of its Google One subscription in Nigeria.
The tech giant, in a note to its customers, said, “Price will automatically increase to N1,900/month on 28 Mar 2025 for your Google One subscription. Cancel at any time in Google Play.”
The old price was N1,200. Google One, a cloud storage service offered by Google LLC, provides users with a centralised platform to manage their storage across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.
It added that subscribers who do not cancel their subscription will be charged automatically on the payment method they provided.
E-Business
We Are Bringing the Change in Technology Distribution – Chioma Ekeh, TD Africa MD
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In the world of technology and entrepreneurship, few names resonate as powerfully as Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, CEO of TD Africa, Africa’s leading technology distribution powerhouse.
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Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, CEO of TD Africa
A media-reclusive entrepreneur and quiet achiever, she has made a name for herself not with loud proclamations but through consistent actions that have shaped the trajectory of the continent’s digital economy.
She has steered the company to unprecedented heights, forging strategic partnerships with global giants such as HP, Microsoft, Apple, Starlink, IBM, Dell Technologies, Ring (by Amazon), Cisco, Lenovo, APC by Schneider Electric, Samsung, Bosch, Philips, Logitech, and Vivo.
These collaborations have not only strengthened TD Africa’s position as a market leader but have also contributed to the growth of Africa’s tech ecosystem.
At the recently held Accra Synergy Summit, a high-profile event held in Ghana that brought together top strategic partners and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Mrs Ekeh made a bold declaration: “We are no longer waiting for change — we are driving it. We are no longer spectators in the digital revolution — we are architects, engineers, and visionaries shaping the future.” This statement, emblematic of her visionary leadership, underscores her commitment to driving Africa’s tech renaissance.
Ekeh’s words are not mere rhetoric; they are backed by tangible achievements and a deep understanding of Africa’s digital potential. The data speaks for itself.
According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Africa’s digital economy is on track to reach $180 billion this year, with projections indicating it will soar to an astonishing $712 billion by 2050.
This growth is not just an increase in numbers — it signifies a paradigm shift in how Africa engages with technology and innovation.
With over 570 million internet users today, Africa is undergoing an unprecedented digital awakening, a number expected to double by 2030 according to the World Bank.
From financial inclusion to business automation, Africa is embracing the digital age at an accelerated pace, with 70% of global mobile money transactions already occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.
This widespread adoption is a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of African entrepreneurs and businesses.
The continent’s tech ecosystem is also attracting significant global attention. In 2022 alone, African tech startups secured over $6.5 billion in investments, a clear testament to the world’s belief in Africa’s digital future.
Ekeh’s message is clear: Africa’s future is bright but requires collective effort.
Rapid transformation does not happen in a vacuum. It is built on strategic collaborations and forward-thinking leadership.
According to Ekeh, “This renaissance is not happening in isolation. It is built on the foundation of strong partnerships. It is fuelled by collaboration — between businesses, governments, and technology enablers like TD Africa. Each of us has a role to play in ensuring that Africa doesn’t just adopt technology but creates, innovates, and leads.”
Her words serve as a rallying cry for businesses, governments, and individuals to strengthen partnerships, increase investments, and take bold steps toward excellence. “Africa is no longer just a consumer of technology. Africa is a builder. Africa is no longer following global trends. Africa is setting them. Africa is no longer waiting for the future. Africa is the future,” she concluded.
Chioma Ekeh’s leadership and vision are a testament to what can be achieved when passion, innovation, and collaboration come together.
As Africa continues its journey toward a tech-driven future, her words and actions remind us that the power to shape tomorrow lies in our hands today.
TD Africa has remained at the forefront of Africa’s tech revolution as the market leader in technology distribution.
Under Ekeh’s leadership, the company has not only expanded its portfolio of global partners but has also facilitated the seamless deployment of innovative tech solutions across various sectors.
By empowering businesses with cutting-edge technology, TD Africa is laying the groundwork for an Africa that does not just consume technology but pioneers it.
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