By The Tech Guy
When I first heard about the Telecom Namibia data breach, my immediate thought was, “Damn. Poor Telecom.†But then, as more details came out and I realised it was customer personal info that had been exposed, my thoughts quickly changed to, “Uh oh. Did my info also get leaked? If so, what exactly?†Wait—did you say it’s all online now? Where can I check to see if my data is out there for all to see?
And just like that, panic mode kicks in. How did this even happen?! Is all my banking data out there to be used by more hackers???
Cue the internal spiral. After a brief moment of freaking out and considering if I should change all my passwords 37 times, I’ve decided to ask myself some important questions:
What exactly happened here?
How did this happen?
What data did I actually give to Telecom in the first place?
What can hackers do with this info?
Who’s this really worse for—Telecom, or us, the customers?
So, let’s take a deep breath and try to answer these questions. Full disclaimer, though: this is just an opinion piece, not a jab at Telecom. I’m not here to pile on the blame, just to unpack what happened and what it means for us, the regular people caught in the middle.
So, how did it happen? Well, until Telecom officially reveals the details, I’m left to brainstorm with my cybersecurity-savvy chommies. Data breaches can sometimes be the result of high-grade, next-level cyber attacks—think evading firewalls, bypassing complex algorithms, and outsmarting anti-virus and malware protection systems. Sounds like a hacker’s version of Mission: Impossible, right?
But, more often than not, the cause is surprisingly simple. Sometimes it’s as basic as the classic “Congratulations! You’ve won an iPhone 16!†scam. You know the one—where you click on a link because, well, who doesn’t want a free iPhone 16, even though you never actually entered any contest?
And just like that, the hackers are in. This really brings to life the old saying: “A chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link.†In a massive organisation like Telecom, with hundreds of computers and even more employees, it’s like the hacker’s playground. There are literally hundreds of ways for them to slip through the cracks.
One weak password here, a forgotten software update there, and boom—they’re in. So, while Telecom likely has top-tier security measures, the human factor is often the biggest vulnerability. The more moving parts, the more chances for something to go wrong.
So now that the hackers are in, what personal data did Telecom have? Well, remember that day you filled out those forms at the Teleshop a few years ago? Yeah, I’m guessing you don’t—most of us were probably too busy daydreaming about getting that sweet, well-priced internet to stop and think about what we were actually sharing about our lives.
We were all just eager to sign up and get online, but chances are, we handed over more than just our names and email addresses. Full name, ID number, contact details, possibly even your payment info… all bundled up in a neat little digital package for whoever wants to take a look.
So, what can hackers actually do with this information? Oh, you’d be surprised by how much and its not pretty.
First off, they can do the classic: identity theft. With your name, ID number, and contact info, they can impersonate you, open accounts in your name, and—if they’re feeling extra ambitious—start applying for loans or credit cards. It’s like they’ve got a backstage pass to your life, and they’re not afraid to use it; and good luck proving it wasn’t you when they’re using specific details of your identity to do this.
Next up: phishing. Armed with your personal details, they can craft more convincing emails or messages, pretending to be you or Telecom. Suddenly, you’re the one getting scammed, all because someone used your name to send a dodgy link asking for “verification†of your account.
And then, of course, there’s the social engineering angle. Hackers can use bits of personal info to figure out answers to security questions, like your mother’s maiden name or your first pet’s name. In the worst-case scenario, they could even sell your details on the dark web, where it’s a marketplace for everything from stolen identities to bank account info. It’s not a pretty thought, but it’s the reality of what can happen when hackers get their hands on personal data.
So, who’s this really worse for—Telecom or us, the customers? Well, it’s kind of a lose-lose situation, but if we’re being honest, it’s definitely worse for us, the customers.
For Telecom, sure, the damage to their reputation is huge. They’ve just lost the trust of a lot of people, and they’re going to have to scramble to repair their security systems and prove they can protect us in the future. But at the end of the day, they’re a massive corporation with resources. They can hire the best cybersecurity experts, update their systems, and weather the storm. They’ll be fine in the long run—maybe a little bruised, but still standing.
For us? It’s a whole different story. We’re the ones who now have to deal with the fallout. We’re the ones who could end up with our identities stolen, bank accounts drained and Lord knows what else. It’s our personal data that’s been exposed to who-knows-who. And unless you’re some kind of tech wizard, the process of recovering from a breach like this is long—we’re talking months, if not years.
And here’s the kicker: even once Telecom fixes their security, it doesn’t really make us feel any better. The damage is done. The trust is broken. Every time we get a new email asking for “verification,†we’re going to hesitate. Every time we sign into an account, we’ll be wondering, “Is this the one where they got me?†The hackers will have a permanent place in our minds—just waiting for the next time they come knocking.
So, while Telecom will eventually get back on its feet, we, the customers, are the ones left picking up the pieces, dealing with the aftermath, and hoping we don’t become the next target.
Until next time, The Tech Guy.
