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Kind branch in Hanover

Photo: Matthias Arnold / dpa

Hearing aid manufacturer Kind has become the target of a hacker attack. In addition to the headquarters in Burgwedel near Hanover, communication with more than 600 specialist stores was also affected, said a company spokesman. However, there is currently no evidence that customer data has been stolen. The systems were shut down immediately and hoped that this would have prevented major damage.

The systems will now be checked and then gradually restarted, said the spokesman. Until then, there will continue to be restrictions in the branches. The “Hannoversche Allgemeine” (“HAZ”) and the IT blogger Günter Born had previously reported. It is unclear how the hackers were able to break into the computer system and what their goal was. The company initially did not provide any information about the amount of damage. That still needs to be determined.

However, the extent and impact of the attack are apparently significant: according to the newspaper, the attack occurred on February 6th. After IT failure, contact with the more than 600 branches is only possible by telephone. Orders cannot be recorded directly on the computer and are sometimes recorded with paper and pen. According to the "HAZ", deliveries to the branches are not possible until further notice and the IT infrastructure will be "gradually ramped up again".

The specialist shops are still open and able to operate, said the spokesman. Customers would be advised and looked after. Payment by EC card was temporarily not possible and customers had to pay in cash. The spokesman added that card payments are now working again. The attack became known through irregularities in the IT system. The company's own IT department then began to take security measures. The police and the data protection officer have been informed.

"We reacted quickly and are optimistic that we were able to avert greater damage," said the spokesman. However, it is still too early for a final assessment. IT expert Born points out that the attack was more than a week ago and the company is still not fully operational again: "No major damage looks different."

fdi/dpa-AFX