Authorities Arrest Four Hackers Linked to UK Retail Hacking Spree
U.K. authorities have confirmed the arrest of four individuals suspected of carrying out a series of high-profile hacks targeting British retail giants, including Marks & Spencer, Harrods, and The Co-op.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) announced on Thursday that the suspects - a 20-year-old woman, two 19-year-old men, and a 17-year-old youth - were taken into custody at locations across the U.K. under suspicion of hacking, blackmail, money laundering, and participating in an organized crime group.
While the names of the suspects have not been released, the NCA stated that they are believed to be linked to the Scattered Spider collective, a group known for using impersonation and deception tactics to trick call centers and company help desks into granting them access to their networks.
The alleged hacking spree began in April, with hackers targeting The Co-op's network first. The intrusions resulted in the theft of customer data from the retailer. Later that month, Marks & Spencer was also targeted, with hackers allowing a ransomware gang called DragonForce to deploy its file-encrypting malware on the company's network.
However, it appears that some retailers took proactive measures to avoid falling victim to the hacking attempt. The Co-op reportedly pulled down its own network before the hackers could activate the malware, thereby avoiding the deployment of the ransomware. Harrods also managed to rebuff a cyberattack, although details of this were not provided.
The arrests are a significant development in the ongoing battle against cybercrime and organized crime groups in the U.K. The NCA has been working closely with other agencies and law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle these groups, protecting consumers and businesses from online threats.
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