Four Teens Arrested in UK Retail Cyberattacks
Four young individuals, aged 17 to 20, have been arrested in connection with a series of cyberattacks on major UK retailers. The arrests were made by the National Crime Agency's National Cyber Crime Unit, following suspicions of Computer Misuse Act offenses, blackmail, money laundering, and organized crime involvement.
The suspects, three males and one female, were apprehended in the English West Midlands and London. They are believed to be part of a group known as DragonForce, a ransomware-as-a-service operation. This group is suspected to have targeted UK retailers such as Marks & Spencer, the Co-op, and Harrods.
Marks & Spencer Chairman Archie Norman has proposed that British businesses should be legally required to report significant cyberattacks. The retailer suffered a ransomware attack in April, suspending online clothing orders for nearly seven weeks. This incident is estimated to have cost the company around £300 million ($400 million) in operating profit. However, CEO Stuart Machin expects the group to recover from the impact by August.
The arrests highlight the growing threat of organized cybercrime, with young individuals allegedly involved in coordinated attacks on major UK retailers. As businesses increasingly rely on digital platforms, the need for robust cybersecurity measures and potential legal requirements for incident reporting is becoming more pressing.
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