Telco giant Optus has warned the personal data of customers past and present – maybe as many as 9 million Aussies – could be compromised following a colossal cyberattack. The company says the attack was “immediately” shut down, but names, dates of birth, phone numbers, email addresses, passport numbers and driver’s licence numbers have been exposed. Payment details and account passwords were not targeted, boss Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said yesterday, but she’s encouraged customers to have “heightened awareness” of suspicious transactions or contacts in the coming days/weeks. Optus has informed the Australian Federal Police of the breach and is working with the Australian Cyber Security Centre. Cybersecurity expert Shannon Sedgwick says it’s a bad breach. “Think of what can be done with passport and licence information if they have both,” he said.