Harrods Becomes Latest UK Retailer Hit by Cyber Attack

British department store giant Harrods has become the latest high-profile victim of a cyber attack, with hackers attempting to break into its internal systems. This incident marks the third major cyber breach in the UK retail sector within a fortnight, following incidents at Marks & Spencer and the Co-op Group.

The attack on Harrods was reported by the company itself, stating that it had recently experienced attempts to gain unauthorized access to some of its systems. To mitigate this threat, Harrods has restricted internet access to its sites until further notice.

Other UK Retailers Hit by Cyber Attacks

Marks & Spencer, one of Britain's most recognizable retailers, has also been targeted by cybercriminals. The store confirmed that all of its sites, including its flagship Knightsbridge store in London, remained open and customers could continue to shop online.

However, the attack on M&S has had a more significant impact than the other two incidents. The company has paused taking clothing and home orders through its website and app for the past seven days due to the disruption caused by the breach.

Co-op Group Also Affected

The Co-op Group, another prominent UK retailer, has also fallen victim to a cyber attack. According to a statement from the company, its security response led to a "small impact to some of our back office and call centre services."

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is working with both M&S and the Co-op, while the Metropolitan Police's Cyber Crime Unit and the National Crime Agency (NCA) are investigating the M&S attack.

Identifying the Perpetrators

Technology specialist site BleepingComputer has reported that a ransomware attack on M&S's servers was believed to have been conducted by a hacking collective known as Scattered Spider. This group is described as a loosely affiliated criminal hacking collective whose members have broken into and stolen data from some of the world's largest technology companies.

According to American journalist Brian Kreb, who has written extensively on cybercrime, the Scattered Spider collective is also involved in "countless SMS-based phishing attacks against employees at major corporations."

Cyber Attacks on UK Retailers

Cyber attacks on British retailers have been a growing concern in recent years. These breaches often result in significant financial losses and disruption to the companies affected.

In 2020, it was reported that British businesses lost an estimated £1.3 billion (approximately $1.7 billion) to cybercrime. The National Cyber Security Centre has warned that the threat of cyber attacks on UK retailers is increasing due to the rise in remote work and online shopping.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Harrods' recent cyber attack highlights the ongoing threat of cyber breaches in the UK retail sector. As more businesses shift their operations online, it is essential that they prioritize their cybersecurity and invest in robust security measures to protect themselves against these types of attacks.