Cyber Attack on Co-op Supermarkets Exposes Personal Data of Millions

By Netvora Tech News

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British Co-op Confirms Massive Theft of Customer Data in Ransomware Attack A massive ransomware attack on British supermarket chain Co-op has resulted in the theft of personal data from a large number of current and former customers. The attackers claim to have obtained the data of 20 million people, but Co-op has refused to confirm this figure, stating only that it is an "substantial number." The stolen personal data includes names, contact information, and birthdates. Co-op, which operates over 2,500 stores in the UK with 70,000 employees, has taken steps to mitigate the attack. The company has instructed staff to keep their cameras enabled during online meetings to verify the identities of attendees. Additionally, employees have been told not to answer or delete Teams meeting invitations. Furthermore, business applications that require a VPN are no longer accessible to remote workers. Co-op is not the only British retail chain to be affected by the attack. Harrods and Marks & Spencer have also been targeted by cyber attackers. The method by which the attackers gained access to Co-op's systems remains unknown. British security researcher Kevin Beaumont, who works for one of the affected organizations, believes that the attackers are using social engineering tactics, such as calling the help desk and pretending to be an employee to gain access to the system. The incident highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. As the attack on Co-op demonstrates, even seemingly secure systems can be vulnerable to attack, making it essential for companies to prioritize data protection and employee education.