logo
Marks and Spencer says customers' information stolen in cyber attack

Marks and Spencer says customers' information stolen in cyber attack

Wales Online13-05-2025
Marks and Spencer says customers' information stolen in cyber attack
You will be prompted to reset your password
People seen near Marks & Spencer
Retail giant Marks & Spencer has revealed that customer personal data has been taken by hackers after being hit by a damaging cyber attack. Chief executive Stuart Machin said the data had been accessed due to the 'sophisticated nature of the incident' but stressed that this does not include payment or card details, or account passwords.
In a social media post, Mr Machin said there is 'no need for customers to take any action'.

'To give customers extra peace of mind, they will be prompted to reset their password the next time they visit or log on to their M&S account and we have shared information on how to stay safe online,' he said. The number of 'nationally significant' cyber attacks in the last eight months has doubled on the same period a year ago, a security chief has warned.

Richard Horne, chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, said that the agency had dealt with 200 incidents since September 2024, including twice as many causing widespread disruption as the same period last year. Speaking at the CyberUK conference in Manchester, Mr Horne warned that adversaries were 'probing for weaknesses' and operating daily in a grey area 'between peace and war' to pursue geopolitical goals.
Russia will continue to target Ukraine and supporting countries with digital espionage in order to gain strategic ground in ceasefire negotiations, he said, while the UK faces further threats from Iran, China and North Korea. The intervention comes after a wave of cyber attacks on high-profile British retailers including Harrods, Marks and Spencer and the Co-op Group in recent weeks.
In a speech to business chiefs and tech experts, Mr Horne said: 'In just the last few weeks, we have seen the very real impacts that cyber attacks can have and the kind of disruption they can cause for both businesses and individuals alike.
Article continues below
'The threat picture is diverse and dramatic – at the NCSC we've managed more than 200 incidents since September last year. This includes twice as many nationally significant incidents as the same period a year ago.'
Mr Horne said that behind the attacks were 'our adversaries', warning that 'hostile nation states have weaponised their cyber capabilities.'
'While they might not be using them in pursuit or support of direct conflict, some are operating daily in the grey zone, that murky space between peace and war where states and non-state actors engage in competitive activity.'

While Beijing remains the 'pacing threat' in the cyber realm with the Chinese Communist Party's 'vast ecosystem' of legislation and data, Moscow has been using criminal proxies to focus on acts of sabotage, he said.
'With our partners in MI5, including the National Protective Security Authority, we see a direct connection between Russian cyber attacks and physical threats to our security,' Mr Horne warned.
'These threats are manifesting on the streets of the UK against our industries and our businesses, putting lives, critical services and national security at risk.

'And so the role of our community is therefore not just about protecting systems, it's about protecting our people, our economy, our society from harm.'
He added: 'Today, I can say for the first time, based on our assessments, that as we move closer to the possibility of a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict it is almost certain that Russia will continue its wider cyber espionage activity against Ukraine and supporting countries to gain strategic advantage in its negotiation strategy.'
Meanwhile, UK firms are being targeted by IT workers in the North Korean system to raise revenue for the country's regime and Britain also faces a heightened threat of espionage from Iran, he said. Mr Horne said the NCSC, which is a part of the UK's GCHQ spy agency, is able to gather intelligence about what adversaries are doing and an act on it at pace to disrupt hostile activity.

But he said cybersecurity must be something that 'we all need to do together' to 'ensure our collective success'.
'We cannot control everything, but we must control the things that we can and be prepared for the things we can't,' Mr Horne said.
Meanwhile, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden warned that Government systems are not 'bombproof' and remain in need of modernisation.

Speaking at the conference, the senior Cabinet minister said: 'I can't stand here this morning and tell you that the Government systems are bombproof. This is not the case. 'We have new systems built on top of legacy systems and we are doing everything in our power to modernise the state and to upgrade these core systems but the Government and the country as a whole has to take this seriously if we are going to do it securely in the future.'
Mr McFadden said the cyber attacks in recent weeks should be a 'wake-up call' for British businesses as he announces a £16 million package to boost defence at home and abroad.
The Government has unveiled measures aimed at reinforcing systems against attack, including driving investment into CHERI, a 'magic chip' that builds advanced memory protections in microprocessors.

Some £4.5 million will be spent helping firms bring the technology, which can block up to 70% of common cyber attacks, to market, the Cabinet Office said.
A new software security code of practice will also be published on Wednesday, outlining essential steps the Government believes every organisation developing or selling software should be taking to secure their products.
An extra £7 million for Britain's Laboratory for AI Security Research will be confirmed, along with investment of £8 million in Ukrainian cyber defences and more than £1 million to 'protect Moldovan elections'.
Article continues below
Mr McFadden said cyber would also be a prime target for economic growth in the Government's upcoming industrial strategy.
'There is enormous potential for cyber security to be a driving force in our economy – creating jobs, growth and opportunities for people. It's already a sector on the up – with over 2,000 businesses across the UK,' he said.
'It is going to be a significant commitment, a vote of confidence in your sector, and one that will tell the world: the UK plans to be a global player in cybersecurity for decades to come.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Fruit-loving Brits put on alert over blueberries and strawberries at supermarkets
Fruit-loving Brits put on alert over blueberries and strawberries at supermarkets

Daily Record

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Fruit-loving Brits put on alert over blueberries and strawberries at supermarkets

People who go to Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Marks and Spencer for their food should take note. Brits who love incorporating tasty fruits into their meals have been put on alert this summer. People who go to Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Marks and Spencer for their food should take note of the latest positive update. ‌ Blueberries are thriving due to the warmest spring on record, with the harvest increasing by nearly a quarter so far this year, reports suggest. ‌ Approximately 5,133 tonnes are anticipated by the end of August, an increase from almost 4,187 tonnes at the same time last year. Sales of the round fruit have also risen by nine per cent year-on-year, according to fruit specialists and grocery analysts across the country. ‌ Those in the industry have said that the current crop is well ahead of schedule. This means Brits can enjoy "excellent" size and flavour from their favourite fruits, reports Birmingham Live. Daniel Martin, the group commercial director at S&A Produce, comments: "This blueberry season has seen a really positive early start, about two weeks ahead of schedule, thanks to strong light levels and an absence of rain. "As a result, we're seeing excellent fruit size and nice, even ripening across the crop. In summary, we are optimistic about the season and expect to see excellent flavour and shelf life from this year's crop." ‌ Jim Floor, the managing director of Hall Hunter, one of the UK's leading blueberry growers, stated: "When it comes to robotic fruit picking, we're seeing steady and encouraging progress from robotics and automation companies. "However, the technology isn't quite ready for widespread commercial adoption just yet." ‌ Nick Marston, the chair of the industry body British Berry Growers, said that all UK berry crops, including strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, were up by about 25 per cent. "The weather has been very beneficial for all berry crops," he said. This follows a similar announcement two months ago, indicating that strawberries at Tesco, Sainsbury's, and M&S were on track for an exceptional yield. ‌ Bartosz Pinkosz of the Summer Berry Company, which supplies major retailers, previously alerted UK households that his West Sussex farm was producing berries so large you "cannot fit in your mouth". Speaking to The Guardian two months ago, Mr Pinkosz stated: "I have genuinely never seen a harvest produce such large berries consistently. ‌ "Some are supersized – growing to the size of plums or even kiwi fruits." He added that recent weather had been "phenomenal" for the berries. For those who fancy choosing their own berries rather than heading to their nearest supermarket, some of the best spots in Scotland for strawberry picking have been named. Cairnie Fruit Farm in Cupar, Fife, topped the list thanks to its 45 acres of fruit fields that offers visitors the chance to pick a range of summer favourites, including strawberries, raspberries, cherries and blackcurrants. Making up the top three were Craigies Farming Deli and Cafe in South Queensferry and Charleton Farm in Montrose, Angus. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

US and EU agree trade deal, says Donald Trump
US and EU agree trade deal, says Donald Trump

ITV News

time3 hours ago

  • ITV News

US and EU agree trade deal, says Donald Trump

The United States and the European Union have reached a trade deal, Donald Trump has said. It follows a brief meeting between the US president and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland on Sunday. A White House deadline was days away for imposing punishing import taxes on the 27-member EU, which is America's leading global trading partner. Instead, the US will impose 15% tariffs on EU goods entering America, after Trump had threatened a 30% levy. 'It was a very interesting negotiation. I think it's going to be great for both parties,' Trump said. The make-or-break talks were meant to head off trade penalties - and promised retaliation from Europe - that could have sent shockwaves through economies around the world. Trump and von der Leyen held private talks at one of Trump's golf courses in Scotland, then emerged a short time later saying they had reached an 'across the board' agreement. In remarks before the session, Trump pledged to change what he characterised as 'a very one-sided transaction, very unfair to the United States.' 'I think the main sticking point is fairness,' he said while also noting, 'We've had a hard time with trade with Europe, a very hard time.' Von der Leyen had said the US and EU combined have the world's largest trade volume, encompassing hundreds of millions of people and trillions of dollars. Trump said the stakes involved meant of making a deal, 'We should give it a shot.' Von der Leyen said Trump was 'known as a tough negotiator and dealmaker', which caused the president to interject with 'but fair." She said that, if they are successful, 'I think it would be the biggest deal each of us has ever struck.' Their meeting came after Trump played golf for the second straight day at his Turnberry course, this time with a group that included sons Eric and Donald Jr. The president's five-day visit to Scotland is built around golf and promoting properties bearing his name. A small group of protesters at the course waved American flags and raised a sign criticising British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who plans his own Turnberry meeting with Trump on Monday. Other voices could be heard cheering and chanting 'Trump! Trump!' as he played Tuesday, Trump will be in Aberdeen, in northeastern Scotland, where his family has another golf course and is opening a third next month. The president and his sons plan to help cut the ribbon on the new course.

White Widow: NI-born terror suspect ‘becomes mum-of-six in polyamorous marriage with Islamic militant warlord'
White Widow: NI-born terror suspect ‘becomes mum-of-six in polyamorous marriage with Islamic militant warlord'

Belfast Telegraph

time4 hours ago

  • Belfast Telegraph

White Widow: NI-born terror suspect ‘becomes mum-of-six in polyamorous marriage with Islamic militant warlord'

Now believed to be in a polygamous marriage with Islamist commander Osman Abdullahi Dhaga'ade and his two other spouses, the Banbridge-born woman has reportedly given birth to two additional children, while evading capture as one of the world's most sought-after terror suspects. The 41-year-old was previously married to 7/7 London bomber Germaine Lindsay – who blew himself up on a London Underground train in July 2005 – and is thought to have had four children from two earlier marriages linked to extremist circles. Lewthwaite is accused of being involved in numerous terror attacks in Kenya, where she lived for a time after leaving the UK, and has been linked to as many as 400 deaths, also appearing on Interpol's 'most wanted' list. Sources reportedly told MailOnline the fugitive was last seen on July 8 in the southern city of Jilib – the de facto capital of the Islamic Emirate of Somalia, controlled by al-Shabaab. It's claimed Lewthwaite had also been spotted recently in other areas in the south with the family regularly switching locations for security reasons while protected by an elite squad of heavily armed bodyguards. Somali intelligence allegedly revealed that 'in 2023, she tried to leave Somalia to go to Yemen or Kenya, but al-Shabaab failed to find her a safe route, so had to stay in Somalia'. "The British woman helps recruit foreign fighters, especially women. She gets protection from her husband as he is high up in al-Shabaab. She speaks Somali and Arabic.' An al-Shabaab source said Lewthwaite was 'highly regarded and respected' within the terror group. He also told MailOnline: 'She lives in several houses located in different areas. She does not move during the day but only at night and is highly protected by heavily armed elite Amniyat close protection security guards, which also includes women guards. 'The white woman also always carries a pistol and sometimes a rifle for her protection. ''She does not stay in one location for long with her husband; they move around a lot." Lewthwaite was born and spent much of her childhood in Banbridge, before moving to Aylesbury and later converting to Islam. In Kenya, she is alleged to have posed as a Northern Irish charity worker to conceal her identity. She was reportedly using Italian documents and claimed she was working for a charity called Friends of Africa, based in Newry. The charity confirmed it had no knowledge of such a person. Her story is now being turned to film, with Lewthwaite set to be portrayed by Game of Thrones and The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store