DragonForce, a shadowy hacking gang linked to teenage cybercriminals Scattered Spider, has claimed responsibility for wrecking some of Britain’s biggest retailers. Marks & Spencer (M&S), the Co-op, and Harrods have all been hit in a massive cyber attack, with millions of customer details stolen. The hackers warn: this is only the beginning.
Retail Giants Under Cyber Siege
DragonForce revealed in a chilling Bloomberg interview they are behind attacks on top UK stores, demanding hefty multimillion-pound ransoms to keep stolen data offline. The gang operates like a criminal cartel, peddling hacking tools and claiming over 90 corporate hits last year across multiple industries.
The Co-op has confirmed hackers accessed customer names and contacts, while the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) suspects M&S suffered similar breaches. Harrods also reported an attack earlier this week, sparking fears of more copycat cyber assaults.
“If you are a customer, we urge you to use strong, unique passwords and check for updates from your retailer,”
warned an ICO spokesperson.
M&S Boss Apologises Amid Chaos
M&S CEO Stuart Machin has apologised after online services were down for nearly two weeks, costing millions in lost sales. The company has yet to confirm if customer data was compromised, keeping shoppers on edge as investigations continue.
Government and Experts Demand Action
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, prepares to issue a stern warning at next week’s CyberUK conference. He describes cyber threats as “relentless” and calls on companies to put cybersecurity front and centre.
Security pros stress urgent bolstering of online defences as criminal gangs ramp up attacks across the UK economy.
Shoppers: Protect Yourself Now
If you’ve shopped at M&S, the Co-op, or Harrods, here’s what you should do immediately:
- Use strong, unique passwords for every account
- Watch your bank statements for any strange activity
- Follow official advice from affected retailers if your data is confirmed at risk
The ICO urges everyone to check their official website regularly for updates and guidance.
