View all newsletters
Receive our newsletter - data, insights and analysis delivered to you
  1. Technology
  2. Networks
April 17, 2014

Mailing list error floods Virgin Media users with spam emails

The error exposed email addresses of consumers to thousands of people.

By CBR Staff Writer

Virgin Media customers were flooded with hundreds of spam emails due to an error in the mailing distribution list of the internet provider.

The glitch meant that any customer clicking ‘reply all’ to the received services email from Virgin to reply to the complete mailing list, resulting in users being bombarded with spam.

Acknowledging a "serious fault", the company apologised for the issue, while claiming that only some customers using internet services from Virgin.net were hit by the glitch, and only those who responded to emails got their email IDs exposed.

Reports, however, have revealed that the over 130,000 consumers were hit with the glitch.

Virgin Media content manager Jim Meadows said that a small proportion of customers have received an email from one of its suppliers, their reply to which, if they select reply all, is sent to a wider group.

"We’re investigating exactly what has happened and, in the meantime, advise people not to respond to this email," Meadows added.

"We are confident that this issue has now been resolved, the problem stopped and further messages prevented.

Content from our partners
Scan and deliver
GenAI cybersecurity: "A super-human analyst, with a brain the size of a planet."
Cloud, AI, and cyber security – highlights from DTX Manchester

"We apologise for the inconvenience caused."

Websites in our network
Select and enter your corporate email address Tech Monitor's research, insight and analysis examines the frontiers of digital transformation to help tech leaders navigate the future. Our Changelog newsletter delivers our best work to your inbox every week.
  • CIO
  • CTO
  • CISO
  • CSO
  • CFO
  • CDO
  • CEO
  • Architect Founder
  • MD
  • Director
  • Manager
  • Other
Visit our privacy policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.
THANK YOU