Experts issue warning to households that have certain type of toaster
Experts have urged UK households to heed their warning.
Cyber crooks are taking their vicious acts to a whole new level as experts warn UK households with smart toasters that their devices may be susceptible to being hacked. If the scammers are successful, they will be able to access your home network.
And it's not just smart toasters that are at risk of cyber attacks, other smart devices such as fridges and thermostats are also vulnerable. Experts have warned that these appliances could allow hackers to gain control over other devices in your home.
This warning mainly applies to older hardware which hasn't been updated or is no longer monitored, reports the Express. This is because it is easier for hackers to take advantage of the weaker security to gain access to the home network.
Evgeny Goncharov of the cybersecurity company Kaspersky, told The Times: "When having access to one device, you have the ability to connect to the server and then communicate with your other devices, and sometimes take control over them. The problems are many."
Andrew Laughlin from Which? also added that zombie products - which are devices that keep working but aren't supported - leave items vulnerable to data breaches and compromises.
From October last year, Google began withdrawing support for its Nest smart thermostats from 2011 and 2012.
Experts say that this decision is a reminder that many devices in our homes can become a security threat as they continue to age and no longer have the required security support.
Alan Woodward, professor of cyber security at the University of Surrey, said: "In some ways it might not matter that your toaster doesn't get updated."
He went on to explain that if devices with a vulnerability remain connected they can be a stepping stone for cyber crooks to get into the home.
Just last year, the National Cyber Security Centre issued an urgent warning that 260,000 devices from across the globe, including webcams, had been hacked by a company which has links to the Chinese Government.
Many well-known retailers have also recently been subjected to cyber attacks. Marks and Spencers was the first to be targeted around Easter weekend, with online orders still being paused until the issue is resolved.
Bosses from the popular retailer have now said that the fallout from the cyber attacks is expected to continue until July and is estimated to cost the company around £300 million.
Customer personal data, which could have included names, email addresses, postal addresses and dates of birth, was also taken by hackers in the attack, which has resulted in Thompsons Solicitors filing a multi-million pound class action suit against the company.
This was followed by the Co-op and Harrods being forced to shut down their IT systems and restrict their internet access to try and ward off further attacks.
On May 2, a Co-op spokesperson revealed ongoing "sustained malicious attempts by hackers to access" their systems.
They also said it was "a highly complex situation" following reports that the same cybercriminals had taken responsibility for both breaches.
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'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
M&S restarts online orders six weeks after cyber attack—but there's a catch
Marks & Spencer has finally announced that online orders are back up and running following April's cyber attack, meaning shoppers can now shop the new summer collection online - but there's one catch If you've been trying to place an online order with Marks & Spencer recently and found yourself out of luck, you're definitely not alone. M&S has been battling with the fallout from a major cyberattack that hit over the Easter weekend, forcing them to pull the plug on their UK online orders since April 25. But this week brings plenty of good news, as Marks & Spencer has just announced their online orders are back up and running as normal, except for one small caveat. It was revealed that the hack, carried out by a group known as DragonForce (also sometimes called Scattered Spider), exposed customer data like names, addresses, and order histories. Thankfully, card details and passwords stayed safe. Still, it's been a bit of a digital disaster, with even in-store services like contactless payments and click-and-collect being affected. Jayne Wall, operations director for M&S, wrote on the matter a few weeks ago: "To proactively manage the incident, we immediately took steps to protect our systems and engaged leading cyber security experts. We also reported the incident to relevant government authorities and law enforcement, with whom we continue to work closely. Unfortunately, the nature of the incident means that some personal customer data has been taken, but there is no evidence that it has been shared." It's said that the retailer's been losing around £4 million a day in online sales, and while their physical stores are still open, there's been little hope of a confirmed date for when the website will be back in action - until today. M&S has been working closely with cybersecurity experts and has already asked customers to reset their passwords as a precaution. It's clear they have been taking the situation seriously, and now the wait is finally over, as you can return to shopping online at M&S to your heart's content. The small catch? M&S have just warned that due to last month's debacle with online ordering, delivery times are now expected to be longer than Marks & Spencer's shoppers have been used to. It's expected that deliveries may now take up to 10 days. There's been no indication for how long these longer wait times will last, but dedicated M&S lovers will no doubt just be grateful to return to online shopping like old times. So, what have we missed and what is there for you to shop today? Since the cyberattack first started, Marks & Spencer has released its summer wardrobe collection, which is now available to shop online. It is worth noting that since we've all been suffering from M&S online shopping withdrawal, many products have been scooped up at near record speed, meaning there's a lot that's already sold out. But we've found our top five things to shop that are still stocked in most sizes. Check out this Pure Cotton Denim Mini Shift Dress (£35) which comes in two colourways, blue denim or Ecru beige, and sizes 6 to 18 in petite, regular and tall measurements. That said, some size options are sold out, so you'll need to act fast to grab yours before its gone. One shopper who bought this number shared in their 5-star review: "Fits lovely, flattering, 5ft3 and not too short. Great spring to summer dress, maybe a bit thick for full summer." If you're looking for a similar item and don't mind the price tag, or don't want to wait the ten-day delivery time, Nobody's Child has this Blue Denim Ned Pinafore Mini Dress for £69. For other dress options, this Halter Neck Mini Beach Dress (£59) is a hit with shoppers as it's touted as a popular item. Still available in sizes 10 to 18, this piece is selling like hot cakes, so you'll want to hurry. Marks & Spencer is offering this 360 Tummy Control Plunge Swimsuit (£35) to cover all of your summer and holiday needs. Also named a popular piece, this swimsuit is available in a range of colours and sizes to ensure the best fit on all body types, making it a must-have for your summer holiday abroad. A trending pick for summer 2025, shoppers can't go wrong with a solid pair of linen trousers. These Pure Linen Palazzo Trousers (£45) are loved by online and in-store shoppers alike, as well as celebrities, and they're selling like hotcakes, so you'll need to be quick to secure yours before it's gone. If your size has already sold out, Boden is offering these Islington Linen Trousers for £98. Finally, these Leather Buckle Flatform Sandals (£49.50) are set to be your new go-to shoe for the spring and summer months. With a simple and versatile design, they are perfect for everything from walking around a new city to spending days on the beach.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
M&S confirms major online shopping update after crippling cyber attack
SHOP TO IT M&S confirms major online shopping update after crippling cyber attack Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) M&S has revealed it's bringing back online shopping after weeks of chaos. The posh supermarket was forced to suspend its online shopping after it was hit by a massive cyber attack. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 M&S has released this statement today confirming it is bringing back online shopping In a statement today it said shoppers will be able to buy items online again "this week". It didn't give an exact day but said a "selection of our best selling fashion ranges will be available for home delivery to England, Scotland and Wales". "More of our fashion, beauty and home products will be added every day and we will resume home deliveries to Northern Ireland and Click and Collect in the coming weeks," it said. The supermarket added: "Thank you sincerely for your support and for shopping with us." The news comes as M&S has spent weeks grappling with the fallout of the cyber attack. Up until now it has not been able to confirm when it would bring back online shopping. The cyber attack kicked off over Easter weekend and has been one of the worst to hit the high street in years. M&S was forced to suspend its online orders and it also had major issues with Click and Collect, gift vouchers and its supply chain. The attack has caused a £300million blow to profits and customer info was also nicked during the breach. Security experts have blamed notorious cyber gang 'Scattered Spider' for the chaos.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
Sainsbury's announces huge change to shelves that customers may notice soon
Co-op are also due to implement the change by next year. Sainsbury's supermarkets have announced a major change that shoppers may soon notice on store shelves. The classic British supermarket has become the latest grocer to trial electronic shelf-edge labels (ESLs) in an aim to modernise its stores and improve operational efficiency. ESLs offer retailers the opportunity to update their prices in real time, which aims to reduce pricing errors and better manage promotional offers. For those who work in supermarkets, it will also save time, as paper labels will no longer need to be manually changed by staff. Speaking to the Grocer, a Sainsbury's spokesperson said that the store was trialling electronic shelf-edge labels in a small number of stores. However, they refused to share any further details on the pilot, which is being monitored for both customer experience and back-end efficiency gains. It has not yet been confirmed exactly which or how many stores will be taking place in the ESL trial, but Sainsbury's customers may soon notice the new digital labels while browsing the supermarket. The retailer began trialling the new electronic labels across three of its larger-format stores last year, including in its 'Future Store' in Witney, Oxfordshire, which was refitted in November 2023, the Express reports. The change comes as part of Sainsbury's 'Future Store' programme, which aims to modernise the supermarket's store operations and improve customer experience using digital tools. Sainsbury's is testing ESLs across a variety of its product categories, including beers, wines & spirits, health products and general merchandise, according to industry sources. The trials are said to be testing both the hardware used to display prices as well as evaluating the potential labour savings that could come from automated pricing updates. The retailer follows a number of other major UK supermarkets that have made the move towards using electronic labels in stores. Co-op recently also announced plans to add electronic labels to all of its 2,400 stores by next year. Co-op head of operations Steven Logue said: "With convenience at the heart of everything we do, Co-op is committed to continually exploring innovative technology that can improve how we operate. "The electronic labels have the potential to enhance product information and transparency, avoid paper waste, and make everyday tasks like picking online orders easier." Co-op recently fell victim to cyber attacks, along with M&S, which left store shelves empty. The chain was forced to shut down IT systems and slow deliveries after hackers attacked their servers. During the attack, the cyber criminals breached IT networks and stole customer and employee data. They claimed to have the private details of 20 million customers in Co-op's membership scheme. Although shelves were widely empty, the store has since recovered from the incident. 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'.
