United Kingdom
Synnovis notifies of data breach after 2024 ransomware attack
Synnovis, a leading UK pathology services provider, is notifying healthcare providers that a data breach occurred following a ransomware attack in June 2024, which resulted in the theft of some patients’ data. Founded in 2021, Synnovis is a partnership between international medical diagnostics provider SYNLAB, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. It […]
UK carriers to block spoofed phone numbers in fraud crackdown
Under a new partnership with the government aimed at combating fraud, Britain’s largest mobile carriers have committed to upgrading their networks to eliminate scammers’ ability to spoof phone numbers within a year. This agreement is part of the new Telecoms Charter, which brings together law enforcement, government agencies, and Britain’s top mobile networks, including BT […]
London police arrests suspects linked to nursery breach, child doxing
The UK Metropolitan Police has arrested two suspects following an investigation into the doxing of children online after a ransomware attack on a chain of London-based nurseries. The 17-year-old suspects were taken into custody at their homes in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, on suspicion of blackmail and computer misuse. While the Met didn’t share more details […]
Imgur blocks UK users after data watchdog signals possible fine
People in the United Kingdom are no longer able to access content hosted on the Imgur, a popular media sharing site, after a UK data watchdog warned it may impose a monetary penalty on the parent company, MediaLab. Visitors to the site are now shown a message stating, “Content not available in your region,” with a […]
UK to ban public sector orgs from paying ransomware gangs
The United Kingdom’s government is planning to ban public sector and critical infrastructure organizations from paying ransoms after ransomware attacks. The list of entities that would have to follow the new proposed legislation includes local councils, schools, and the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS). “Ransomware is estimated to cost the UK economy millions of […]
Co-op confirms data of 6.5 million members stolen in cyberattack
UK retailer Co-op has confirmed that personal data of 6.5 million members was stolen in the massive cyberattack in April that shut down systems and caused food shortages in its grocery stores. Co-op (short for the Co-operative Group) is one of the United Kingdom’s largest consumer co-operatives, operating food stores, funeral services, insurance, and legal […]
UK launches vulnerability research program for external experts
UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has announced a new Vulnerability Research Initiative (VRI) that aims to strengthen relations with external cybersecurity experts. The agency already conducts internal vulnerability research on a wide range of technologies and will continue to do so. However, the launch of VRI will create a parallel program designed to improve […]
Four arrested in UK over M&S, Co-op, Harrods cyberattacks
The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) arrested four people suspected of being involved in cyberattacks on major retailers in the country, including Marks & Spencer, Co-op, and Harrods. The arrested individuals are two 19-year-old males, one 17-year-old male, and a 20-year-old female, who were apprehended earlier today in their homes in London and the West […]
UK fines 23andMe for ‘profoundly damaging’ breach exposing genetics data
The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has fined genetic testing provider 23andMe £2.31 million ($3.12 million) over ‘serious security failings’ that led to a ‘profoundly damaging’ data breach in 2023. The data protection watchdog said today that 23andMe failed to protect the sensitive data of UK residents who had their genotype data, health reports, and personal […]
Hackers switch to targeting U.S. insurance companies
Threat intelligence researchers are warning of hackers breaching multiple U.S. companies in the insurance industry using all the tactics observed with Scattered Spider activity. Typically, the threat group has a sector-by-sector focus. Previously, they targeted retail organizations in the United Kingdom and then switched to targets in the same sector in the United States. “Google […]