Hackers claim to have stolen pictures, names and addresses of children in nursery firm cyber attack
Hackers have claimed to have stolen pictures, names and addresses of thousands of children in a cyber attack on a nursery chain.
The group posted images of children from the Kido nursery chain on the dark web – and are demanding a ransom from the company.
Parents whose children attend a Kido nursery branch told Sky News they had received an email confirming the data incident – and were offered reassurance by the company.
An independent intelligence company confirmed the claims from the hackers, who appear to be threatening to release further details, and those of staff members.
An Information Commissioner’s Office spokesperson said: “Kido International has reported an incident to us and we are assessing the information provided.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sky’s education reporter Anjum Peerbacos on the cyber attack
The Met Police said they “received a referral on Thursday, 25 September, following reports of a ransomware attack on a London-based organisation”.
They said enquiries are at the early stages and no arrests have been made.
Sky News has contacted Kido for comment.
Graeme Stewart, a cyber security expert from Check Point Software, described the cyber attack as a “new low”.
He told Sky News’ The UK Tonight With Sarah-Jane Mee: “I’ve been involved in cyber security for 25 years and this is the most depressing day, I think, since I’ve been doing this.
“I’ve seen hundreds, probably thousands of cyber attacks over the years… This is just indefensible. It’s an appalling attack and it just shows frankly a lack of ethics and morals, to go after children’s data”.
Read more:
Man arrested over airports cyber attack
Teenagers charged over cyber attack on TfL
Patient’s death linked to cyber attack on NHS
Toby Lewis, head of threat analysis at cyber security company Darktrace, told Sky News’ that while the style of attack was not new, “what is different is the brazenness and willingness to target children or children settings”.
He told the News Hour with Mark Austin: “It definitely seems we are seeing a different style of group, maybe, certainly one that is less concerned about the ethics of what they’re doing.”
Mr Lewis said the hackers were likely motivated by money, adding: “Essentially, it seems they’re trying to get parents to pay up so that their children’s photos are taken offline. It’s a money-making scheme, fundamentally”.
Recent high-profile victims of cyber criminals in the UK include retail giant Marks and Spencer, which lost an estimated £300m in a ransomware attack earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the government has been urged to step in this week to support suppliers affected by a cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover, after the car-making firm was forced to halt production at the end of August.
Police have appealed for information after a man was charged with murdering two women and raping a third.
Simon Levy has been charged with murdering 53-year-old Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo who died on the Aylesbury Estate, south-east London, on 17 March, the Metropolitan Police said.
In September, Levy, of Beaufoy Road, Tottenham, north London, was charged with murdering 39-year-old Sheryl Wilkins who was found unresponsive in High Road, Tottenham, on 24 August.
He is also accused of grievous bodily harm with intent, non-fatal strangulation and two counts of rape against a third woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in Haringey, north London, on 21 January, police said.
The 40-year-old will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with Ms Valencia-Trujillo’s murder.
Sheryl Wilkins was found unresponsive in High Road, Tottenham, on 24 August. Pic: Metropolitan Police
He is also due to appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday for a plea and trial preparation hearing for the murder of Ms Wilkins.
Detectives believe there may be individuals who have information relevant to this investigation – or who are yet to report incidents which have directly impacted them – and are asking for people to come forward.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the latest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
UK
Family of woman killed 56 years ago, in a case of mistaken identity, believe her remains are buried in a garden
A new “national day” to honour victims and survivors of terrorism will be added to the calendar from next year, it has been revealed.
The annual commemoration will fall on 21 August, and will be marked in a different place each year to recognise the widespread impact of terrorism around the country.
It comes after a 12-week public consultation showed 91% supported the plan for a national day, and 84% strongly supported the proposal.
Flowers left in St Ann’s Square, Manchester, to remember the Manchester Arena terror attack. Pic: PA
How the day will look, including a final name and symbol, will be worked out collaboratively between survivors and ministers, according to the Home Office.
But it will “honour and remember victims and survivors of terrorism”, encouraging survivors to access specialist support, spotlighting their stories, and educating the public.
A spokesperson for the Home Office confirmed that it would not be a bank holiday.
Jo Berry, whose father Sir Anthony Berry was killed in the IRA Brighton hotel bombing in 1984, said victims of terrorism would no longer be “a footnote of history”.
Jo Berry, whose father was killed in the Brighton bombing in 1984, with convicted bomber Patrick Magee in 2004. File pic: PA
She said: “What we remember as a nation matters. It sends a signal about what we value.
“For too long, survivors of terror attacks, and those who have been killed in them, have been a footnote of history. Survivors have felt ignored and forgotten.
“That’s why Survivors Against Terror launched a campaign for a new national day of memorial three years ago.”
Read more:
Referrals to UK counter-terrorism programme reach new high
I was reporting in London during 7/7 – here’s what happened
Travis Frain, who survived the Westminster Bridge attack in 2017, also backed the campaign.
He said: “A national day would provide an opportunity to remember those we have lost, to pay tribute to the bravery and resilience of those who have survived these heinous acts, and for us to look forward to the future to educate the next generation.”
The date was chosen to coincide with the UN International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
Plans have also been announced for a new support hub to help victims in the aftermath of terror attacks.
-
Sports2 years agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Sports3 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment3 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment1 year agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024