SoftBank suspends My SoftBank websites after detecting attempted unauthorized access
In short
SoftBank said a third party attempted unauthorized access to its member site My SoftBank, and it has suspended the websites of My SoftBank, My Y!mobile and My Menu since 17 October. The app versions remain available. The company has not said when the websites will return, and whether personal information leaked is under investigation.
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SoftBank announced on 19 October that a third party had attempted unauthorized access to its member site My SoftBank. As a safety measure, the company has suspended the My SoftBank, My Y!mobile and My Menu websites and is carrying out maintenance, according to Keitai Watch, Nikkei and Impress Watch. [ 2 , 4 , 7 ]
SoftBank said its monitoring system automatically detected abnormal activity in some systems related to My SoftBank on 17 October. The company said it promptly stopped some of the related systems and blocked suspicious external communication paths. It then suspended access to the three websites from 8:00 the same day to strengthen security and carry out maintenance work. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 ]
The app versions of My SoftBank, My Y!mobile and My Menu on smartphones continue to run and can still be used. Sankei Shimbun described My SoftBank as a site where contract holders can check their charges and apply for plan changes. It also reported that the websites for subscribers of Y!mobile and LINEMO are suspended, and it did not mention My Menu. [ 2 , 3 , 8 ]
TBS NEWS DIG reported that SoftBank said it is still investigating whether personal information was leaked. Nikkei reported that the extent of the damage is under investigation and that SoftBank apologised for the trouble and concern caused. [ 4 , 6 ]
SoftBank has not said when the websites will resume. The company said it will announce the restart as soon as preparations are ready. [ 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
Why it matters
Customers cannot use the web versions of the member sites for now, though the apps still work. Outlets report that the extent of any damage, including whether personal information was exposed, is still being investigated.
Key facts
- SoftBank announced on 19 October that a third party had attempted unauthorized access to the My SoftBank member site. [ 4 , 8 , 9 ]
- On 17 October the company's monitoring system automatically detected abnormal activity in some systems related to My SoftBank. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- SoftBank stopped some related systems and blocked suspicious external communication paths. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 ]
- The My SoftBank, My Y!mobile and My Menu websites have been suspended since 8:00 on 17 October for maintenance. [ 2 , 3 , 7 ]
- The app versions of the services remain available. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 ]
- SoftBank has not given a date for restoring the websites and said it will announce it once preparations are ready. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- SoftBank said a third party attempted unauthorized access to the My SoftBank member site. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]
- The My SoftBank, My Y!mobile and My Menu websites are temporarily suspended as a safety measure. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 10 ]
- The app versions of the services continue to be available. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 ]
- No restart date has been set for the websites. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
Still unclear
- Whether personal information was leaked TBS NEWS DIG reported that SoftBank said this is still under investigation.
- The extent of any damage Nikkei reported that the damage is under investigation.
- Which sites are affected Most outlets list My SoftBank, My Y!mobile and My Menu, while Sankei Shimbun mentions the websites for Y!mobile and LINEMO subscribers and does not mention My Menu.
- When the websites will resume Outlets say the restart date is undecided and SoftBank will announce it when preparations are ready.