Four arrested in relation to M&S and co-ope of cyber attacks

Four people have been arrested by the police, investigating the cyber attacks that causes havoc in M&S and co-op.

The National Crime Agency says a 20 -year -old woman was arrested at Staffordshire, and three men – detained at London and West Midlands at the age of 17 to 19.

He was caught on suspicion of complication of computers Act crimes, blackmail, money laundering and an organized crime group activities.

The four were arrested in their homes in the early hours on Thursday. Electronic equipment was also confiscated by the police.

Paul Foster, head of the NCA National Cyber ​​Crime Unit, said the arrest was a “important step” in his investigation.

He said, “But our work is going on, with the UK and participants abroad, to ensure that those responsible have been identified and brought into justice,” he said.

Hack – which began in mid -April – has caused heavy disruption to two retailers.

Some co-up shelves were left bare for weeks, while M&S hopes that its operations will be affected by the end of July, some IT systems are not fully operational till October or November.

The chairman of M&S told MPS this week that it felt like hack Attempt to destroy businessThe retailer has speculated that it would be priced at £ 300 meters in lost profits.

Herods were also targeted in an attack, which had a low impact on its operation.

M&S was violated. A large amount of private data related to customers and employees was stolen.

Criminals also deployed malicious software called ransomware, until the ransom was paid, the company’s IT network wasted.

BBC revealed that hackers had Sent an aggressive email M&A to demand payment to the boss.

A few days after the M&S, the co-op was also targeted by criminals who broke and stole the personal data of millions and employees.

Was co-up Forced to accept After hackers contacted the BBC, the data was breeted that the firm was reducing the cyber attack.

BBC later discovered criminals The company cut the internet The deployment of ransomware causes more disruption from the IT network in Nick of time to prevent hackers.

Shortly after the announcement of the co-op, it was attacked, luxury retailer Herods said it was also targeted and forced to disconnect the IT system from the Internet to keep the criminals out.