Qantas cyber attack: Hackers threaten to release stolen data unless ransom is paid

Qantas is among dozens of major companies facing ransom threats after being caught up in a sweeping cyberattack linked to stolen customer data.

The hacker collective known as Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters is reportedly pressuring Qantas, Toyota, Disney, Ikea, and others to begin negotiations by Friday or risk further exposure.

The cybercriminals claim to have accessed a massive trove of personal records by tricking an operator at its Manila call centre into opening access to a Salesforce system in late June.

As a result, the data of 5.7 million frequent flyers had been accessed - including names, phone numbers, addresses, emails, frequent flyer numbers and dates of birth.

Credit card details, personal finance information and passport details were not held on the platform, meaning passwords