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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Alex Croft

Inside the cyberattack that cost M&S £650 million in days

  • Hackers from the Scattered Spider network used social engineering tactics to breach Marks and Spencer and Co-op systems, causing significant disruption and financial losses.
  • The hackers tricked IT help desk workers into granting them access, according to sources who spoke to the BleepingComputer website, leading to a cyberattack that cost M&S £650m in lost value.
  • The attacks disrupted online services, including contactless payments and click-and-collect orders.
  • The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued new guidance to organisations on strengthening their security practices, particularly password reset processes.
  • Scattered Spider, known for targeting casinos and demanding ransoms, is suspected of being behind the attacks, with one alleged member recently extradited to the US.

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