A ransomware attack caused by a stolen password forced the 158-year-old UK transport firm KNP to shut down, costing 700 jobs.
The hacker group Akira encrypted critical systems and demanded an estimated £5 million, which KNP couldn't pay.
Other major UK brands like M&S, Harrods, and Co-op also faced attacks, with data from 6.5 million members stolen, says NCA.
A single compromised password can cost you your entire earnings, and this is what happened to a 158-year-old UK-based transport company, KNP. A ransomware gang brought down KNP, making 700 employees lose their jobs. KNP is just one of the UK businesses impacted by the rising attack of cyberattacks, with major brands like M&S, Co-op, and Harrods also on the list of victims.
SurveyAccording to a report by the BBC, hackers are suspected of getting access to the company’s computer systems by stealing an employee’s password. Once accessed, they encrypted critical data and locked the company’s internal systems, bringing operations to a halt. The attack was so severe that KNP’s director, Paul Abbott, confirmed that the business was unable to recover.
Abbott, however, has refrained from revealing the name of the employee whose password is believed to have been compromised. As reported, a gang of hackers, named Akira, hacked the system, making it inaccessible for the company’s staff. They even sent a chilling ransom note, “If you’re reading this, it means the internal infrastructure of your company is fully or partially dead… Let’s keep all the tears and resentment to ourselves and try to build a constructive dialogue.”
Though the ransomware note did not specify the amount, it is estimated to be around £5 million, a sum that KNP could not pay and was forced to shut down, losing all its data.
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According to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), KNP is not the only firm to suffer a ransomware attack. Other big names like M&S, Harrods, and Co-op have also suffered cyberattacks, with the data of 6.5 million members stolen. The National Crime Agency (NCA) warns that the problem is only getting worse. Suzanne Grimmer from the NCA said ransomware attacks have doubled to around 35-40 cases a week in just two years.
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Himani Jha
Himani Jha is a tech news writer at Digit. Passionate about smartphones and consumer technology, she has contributed to leading publications such as Times Network, Gadgets 360, and Hindustan Times Tech for the past five years. When not immersed in gadgets, she enjoys exploring the vibrant culinary scene, discovering new cafes and restaurants, and indulging in her love for fine literature and timeless music. View Full Profile
