Co-op Fends Off Hackers as Police Probe M&S Cyber Attack

The Co-operative Food (Co-op) has taken proactive measures to fend off a hacking attempt, shutting down parts of its IT systems in response to the cyber attack. The move has had a "small impact" on its call centre and back office operations, according to a spokesperson.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed it is investigating a major cyber attack at fellow retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S). Detectives from the Met's cyber crime unit are working to determine the cause of the breach and assess any potential links between the two incidents.

The Co-op Responds to Cyber Attack

With over 2,500 supermarkets and 800 funeral homes across the UK, as well as providing food to Nisa shops, the Co-op is one of the country's largest retailers. Despite the attempted hack, its shops and funeral homes are operating as usual, with a spokesperson thanking customers for their understanding during this period.

"We are working hard to reduce any disruption to our services and would like to thank our colleagues, members, partners, and suppliers for their understanding during this period," the spokesperson said. "We are not asking our members or customers to do anything differently at this point."

M&S Cyber Attack Continues to Cause Chaos

The cyber attack on M&S has been ongoing for over a week, with the retailer suffering millions of pounds in lost sales and causing chaos in stores. The online ordering system has been compromised, leaving empty shelves in many stores.

Experts Weigh In

Ciaran Martin, the founding Chief Executive of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), described the cyber attack on M&S as "serious" and having "very difficult consequences".

"It is a highly disruptive event and a very difficult one for them to deal with," he said. Experts have also pointed out that the attack appears to be caused by ransomware called DragonForce, a type of malicious software that locks an owner out of their computer or network and scrambles their data.

Ransomware: A Growing Threat

Ransomware is a growing threat to businesses, with many companies falling victim to attacks in recent years. It is a highly disruptive event that can cause significant financial losses for affected organizations.

"Retailers can no longer afford to treat resilience as optional," said Scott Dawson, head of payment processing firm Decta. "This type of attack exposes alarming vulnerabilities and highlights the need for companies to prioritize their cyber security."

Similar Attacks in the Past

M&S is not the only retailer to have fallen victim to a cyber attack in recent years. In December 2024, Morrisons was impacted by an incident that highlighted the importance of cyber security.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has urged other retailers to be vigilant and take steps to protect themselves against cyber threats. An NCSC spokesperson said: "The NCSC routinely engages with a whole range of organisations about the cyber threats that the UK faces and regularly reminds them about the steps they can take to be as resilient as possible."

Conclusion

The Co-op's proactive measures to fend off hackers have prevented more widespread disruption, while M&S continues to navigate the aftermath of its cyber attack. As experts warn, cyber security is becoming an increasingly important issue for businesses, and retailers must take steps to protect themselves against these types of attacks.