- A group of hackers, known as Scattered Spider, mostly made up of English-speaking teenagers from the UK and the U.S., has caused hundreds of millions of pounds in damage through sophisticated social engineering attacks.
- High-profile targets in the UK have included Marks & Spencer and Co-op, but the group has expanded its focus with the FBI now warning of attacks on US airlines.
- Scattered Spider typically gains access by impersonating employees and tricking IT helpdesk staff into resetting account credentials, exploiting human vulnerability rather than technical flaws.
- Despite the arrest of several members, including alleged leader Tyler Buchanan, the group's attacks have continued to escalate, demonstrating their persistent threat.
- Cybersecurity experts emphasise that these attacks highlight the critical importance of human vigilance and targeted cyber skills development for all employees, as social engineering can bypass even robust technical defences.
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