Google Warns US Retailers of Cyber Threat from UK Hackers

A growing concern for American businesses has been raised by Google's cybersecurity arm, as it revealed that hackers responsible for crippling disruptions in UK retailers are now targeting similar companies across the pond.

"US retailers should take note," warned John Hultquist, an analyst at Google's cyber security arm. "These actors are aggressive, creative, and particularly effective at circumventing mature security programs." The warning comes as hackers connected to the notorious "Scattered Spider" group, a loose network of hackers of varying skill levels, shift their attention from British retailers to their American counterparts.

At the center of this cyber threat is Scattered Spider, a nickname given to the loosely affiliated network of hackers. This group has been linked to some of the most significant and disruptive cyber attacks in recent history, including the crippling hack on Marks & Spencer (M&S), one of the UK's most recognizable brands.

Marks & Spencer's online operations were frozen in April 25, a victim of the Scattered Spider gang. The hackers have been known to target a specific sector at a time and show no signs of slowing down their assault on the retail industry for the foreseeable future. Hultquist stated that Scattered Spider is likely to continue targeting retailers in the US for "a while longer."

But this is not the first time Scattered Spider has made headlines with its brazen hacking operations. In 2023, hackers tied to the group made major news by breaching the systems of casino operators MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment.

The law enforcement community has struggled to keep pace with the Scattered Spider hacking groups due in part to their decentralized nature, youthful age, and a lack of cooperation from cybercrime victims. This makes it increasingly difficult for authorities to track down these hackers and hold them accountable for their actions.