Marks & Spencer, a prominent UK retailer, has acknowledged that hackers accessed and stole personal information during a recent cyberattack. The retailer disclosed this information in a statement to the London Stock Exchange, indicating that customer data has been compromised, including names, dates of birth, home and email addresses, phone numbers, household details, and online ordering history.
In response to the breach, Marks & Spencer is taking action by resetting the online account passwords for its customers. The attack has resulted in significant operational disruptions, leading to empty grocery shelves and offline online ordering services.
The exact number of individuals affected by the data breach remains unspecified. A spokesperson for Marks & Spencer was unable to provide details regarding the number of compromised accounts, instead directing inquiries to the company’s online statement. As per its latest annual report, Marks & Spencer had approximately 9.4 million online customers as of March 30, 2024.
Reports indicate that the ransomware and extortion group known as DragonForce has claimed responsibility for this attack, which has also targeted other UK retailers like the Co-op and Harrods. Initially, the Co-op asserted that there was no evidence of a data breach, but later confirmed that hackers had indeed stolen customer information, similar to that of Marks & Spencer.
Additionally, DragonForce reportedly boasts having access to the private information of 20 million individuals from the Co-op’s membership program, further raising concerns about the extent of customer data vulnerability among major retailers.
The UK National Cyber Security Centre has stated that it is collaborating with affected businesses and law enforcement to gather more information on the incidents. The unfolding situation highlights the ongoing threats faced by retailers in the digital landscape and the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect consumer data.
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