**Hackers Pirate French Interior Ministry Databases in Breathtaking Heist**
The French Interior Ministry's database has fallen prey to a sophisticated cyber attack, leaving the government scrambling to assess the full extent of the breach.
According to sources close to the investigation, at least "several dozen files" from confidential police databases were extracted by hackers, sparking widespread concern about the potential consequences. The ministry's Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, confirmed the incident on Wednesday, December 17, revealing that two critical police databases were affected: the Judicial Records System (TAJ) and the Wanted Persons File (FPR).
The TAJ database is a treasure trove of sensitive information, containing approximately 17 million records on perpetrators and victims of crimes or offenses. The FPR, on the other hand, holds highly classified data on individuals with outstanding warrants for their arrest.
"I remain cautious," Nuñez stated during a press conference, emphasizing that the investigation is ongoing. "The full scope of the breach remains unclear, but I can confirm that no ransom demand has been received." He also hinted at the possibility that larger volumes of data may have been stolen, fueling fears about the severity of the incident.
The hack was eerily claimed in the name of ShinyHunters, a notorious cybercriminal group known for its brazen attacks. However, the authenticity of this claim has yet to be verified, leaving authorities and experts alike on high alert.
As the investigation unfolds, the French government is left grappling with the far-reaching implications of this heist. The Interior Ministry's databases are a critical component of national security, and any breach raises serious concerns about data protection and potential misuse by malicious actors.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ever-evolving threat landscape in the world of cybersecurity. As governments and organizations struggle to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated attacks, the stakes have never been higher.