Staggering number of cyber attacks fought off by Met Office last year revealed as hackers ‘swarm it on daily basis'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
THE Met Office was one of six Government agencies hit by 15million cyber attacks last year.
Around 40,000 threats a day were fought off by the public bodies in 2024, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
The Met Office blocked more than five million phishing emails, nearly double 2023's total.
The UK Atomic Energy Authority fended off 1.67million spam and malware messages.
There were 223,589 malicious emails to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, with another 1,111 at the Government Legal Department.
The Office for National Statistics, which retains hack records for only 90 days, blocked 485,908 emails from November to February — 5,400 a day.
The ONS also faced 15 Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, where a website or inbox is flooded with traffic.
But the DVLA faced an avalanche, with 7.1million attempted DDoS hits.
Malicious emails to the Cardiff-based agency also nearly tripled from 54,105 in 2023 to 153,189.
Bodies including the MoD, Home Office, HMRC and Cabinet Office refused to release data under Freedom of Information laws — saying it may hamper efforts to fight cyber crime.
It comes as several retail giants, including M&S, have been paralysed by cyber attacks.
Internet security expert Graham Cluley said: 'Britain's public sector isn't just under attack — it's being swarmed digitally on a daily basis.'
The National Cyber Security Centre said it provides advice and guidance for government partners, helping 'bolster the cyber resilience of the public sector'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
James Argent's ex-girlfriend shares update on injuries after he pushed her
James Argent's ex-girlfriend Nicoline Artursson has shared an update on her injuries after she was pushed down some stairs. The Towie star, 37, received a six-month suspended jail sentence and a two-year restraining order earlier last month after being arrested for pushing the model, 32, down a set of stairs in Spain. He pleaded guilty to 'mistreatment' after being arrested when neighbours reportedly called police after hearing screaming. In a powerful statement, Artursson has opened up about the mental and physical injuries she has endured. 'It's now been a month, I still can't believe it,' she began. She revealed that her physical injuries had now healed, but she was suffering mentally: 'My fractures on my body have finally healed, but I'm wounded inside.' The former Miss Sweden's injuries were revealed in court documents last month. A provisional prosecution indictment, drafted before the plea deal, said: 'The injured woman suffered several bruises to her neck, a bruise to her right forearm, several abrasions to her right arm, and abrasions to her right hand and on her right leg.' Confirming she received medical assistance, the prosecutor said: 'The injuries she suffered healed in seven days on skin and soft tissue.' Artursson then spoke about the night of the incident in her post: 'I was brutally thrown out of our new home in the middle of the night wearing only my pyjamas. 'I opened the door to let him in, and only minutes after I found myself laying down on the stairs outside our house. 'My clothes and my belongings being thrown out from the balcony down on me. I was injured.' She spoke about her healing journey as she said in the post: 'I am healing now. Slowly, bravely and unapologetically. I will rise.' She encouraged other women who might be in similar situations: 'To every woman reading this: If you've ever questioned your worth, your safety, or your sanity in a relationship – this is your sign. 'You deserve to feel safe. You deserved to be loved with care and integrity. You are not alone.' Public prosecutors intended to push for a nine-month prison sentence for Argent for a crime of wounding, but he was spared jail after striking a plea bargain deal. More Trending Artursson also has a two-year restraining order in place against Argent. Following the incident, court documents obtained by The Sun showed the reality TV personality had to pay Artursson just £250 in damages. Metro has reached out to James Argent's representatives for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: James Argent returns to stage for charity gig following domestic violence arrest MORE: James Argent speaks out after suspended jail sentence for pushing girlfriend down steps
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Mum wins £11k payout from Premier League star who ‘helped his brother dodge child support payments to daughter, two'
PAID UP Mum wins £11k payout from Premier League star who 'helped his brother dodge child support payments to daughter, two' A MUM has won an £11,000 payout from a Premier League star accused of helping his brother dodge child support payments for his young daughter, she claims. Chelsea ace Tosin Adarabioyo allegedly funds older brother Fisayo's extravagant lifestyle, paying for a £2.9million mansion, giving him a monthly income and a credit card to go shopping with. Advertisement 5 Nadia Messaoud during a protest outside Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium Credit: Nadia Messaoud 5 Nadia has won an £11,000 payout from the Premier League star Credit: PP. 5 Tosin Adarabioyo allegedly funds older brother Fisayo's extravagant lifestyle Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The Sun snapped photos of flashy Fisayo, 30, a former pro-footballer, carrying a £3,140 Bottega Veneta leather briefcase. But despite his millionaire lifestyle, Fisayo has yet to pay a penny towards his two-year-old daughter Anara's upbringing after telling the Child Maintenance Service he's skint, it is claimed. Anara's struggling mum Nadia Messaoud, 41, who dated Fisayo for a year before they split in 2022, said she was forced to take action after being ignored. She took civil action against Chelsea defender Tosin for funding his brother while allegedly knowing of his sibling's obligations. Advertisement Legal documents relating to the civil action, seen by The Sun, state: 'The defendant (Tosin) has been knowingly providing his older brother, Fisayo Adarabioyo, with an income that is not being declared to HMRC or the child maintenance service. 'This is with the intention to obstruct my daughter's legal right to obtain child maintenance. 'My child has for the last three years been awarded the nil level of CMS.' Nadia also alleged that as well as thousands of pounds a month in cash income, Tosin also provides his brother with a credit card to spend on. Advertisement According to Land Registry documents, Tosin, 27, thought to be on £120,000 a week at Chelsea, owns the Cheshire mansion in which Fisayo lives. The Department of Work and Pensions has awarded unemployed Fisayo a "nil rate" on child support for the past three years because he claims he does not earn enough to pay. Nadia staged a protest outside Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium last month to raise awareness around her cause. She wore a vest top and held a sign both of which said: 'TOSIN #4 Women Matter, Children Matter, D.A (Domestic Abuse) survivors matter.' Advertisement She is backed by domestic abuse charity Women's Aid. Fisayo was convicted of harassment without violence in 2022 after turning up at Nadia's terraced home in Cheshire, banging on her door and leaving her terrified. He also bombarded her with texts, saying he hoped she miscarried the baby and threatened to kill her. After allegedly failing to respond to Nadia's legal claim, his brother Tosin has been ordered by the court to pay her £11,000. Advertisement However, Tosin's legal team told The Sun the order was a "default judgement" made in error "on the part of the court". Nadia said: "I've not received a penny from Fisayo to help with our daughter, while he's living a footballer's lifestyle thanks to his Chelsea playing brother. "I've been rebuffed at every opportunity which is why I decided to take legal action against both of them. "All I ever wanted was a reasonable level of financial support but Fisayo has claimed poverty. Now I know the truth. Advertisement "As a Premier League player Tosin is supposed to be a role model, but his actions have essentially blocked my daughter from receiving the financial support she's entitled to by law." Tosin's lawyers' statement added: "The Order arises from a default judgement which has been entered by the Court in a claim issued by Nadia Messaoud against our client ('the Claim'). Unfortunately, it would appear that our client's strike out application has not been properly processed by the Court and it has therefore allowed automatic default judgement to be entered in favour of Ms Messaoud. "This is a very serious administrative failing on the Court's part and one which we are addressing with the Court on our client's behalf. Advertisement Inappropriately, she made an application for judgement in default, despite being served with that application. "Your summary is not a fair and accurate report of anything that has taken place in the Court proceedings." They added that as well as "chasing" the court, they have also made an application on their client's behalf "to have the default judgement order set aside". "In summary therefore, the Order which you have seen is subject to an active challenge, and should never have been issued by the Court in the first place." Advertisement They said the claim is a "pattern of behaviour" by Ms Messaoud "to exert unwanted pressure on our client to provide further funding to her". "Our client has no relationship with Ms Messaoud and owes no legal or other duties or obligations to her," the statement adds. The Sun has also contacted Fisayo's lawyer and Chelsea for comment. 5 Fisayo Adarabioyo seen in January this year carrying a £3,140 Bottega Veneta leather briefcase Credit: PP. Advertisement
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Major call on cigarettes amid black market fears
The Labor government will not review a tax on Australia's cigarettes despite fears surging prices are contributing to the black market trade. Treasurer Jim Chalmers ruled out changing the tobacco excise this week after NSW Premier Chris Minns suggested a lower tax might reduce criminal trading. 'More people are giving up the darts, but more people are also doing the wrong thing (and) I'm not convinced that cutting the excise on cigarettes would mean that that would be the end of illegal activity,' Chalmers said. 'I respectfully disagree with Chris... I don't think the answer here is to make cigarettes cheaper for people, the answer here is to get better at compliance.' Earlier in the week, Minns floated the idea that the excise might be contributing to the black market trade while also failing to secure increased government revenues. 'We need to have a look at how big this excise is, how it's driving illegal tobacco sales in our community,' Minns said. 'And is it the best use of NSW Police time to be devoted to tobacco sales, when in the end the federal government's not getting the excise that they thought — they're not getting that tax that they would get from that massive increase.' He said the excise had nearly doubled in six years from $16 to $28 per pack while revenue had decreased in line with lower consumer demand. The tobacco excise reached a high of $1.40 per cigarette in March, the same month $7billion was wiped from the budget's excise projections to 2029. Many believed the high price of cigarettes in Australia - among the world's highest - would continue to push consumers towards e-cigarettes or the black market. Smoking continues to be a leading cause of death, killing more than 24,000 Australians each year according to the Australian National University. Meanwhile, the ATO estimated the value of illicit tobacco entering Australia increased from $980million to more than $6billion in the six years to 2022-23. Economist Chris Richardson said increasing the excise without appropriate enforcements amounted to an 'epic budget fail'. Following the budget figures, Health Minister Mark Butler announced a $156million investment to assist state and federal agencies in cracking down on illicit tobacco. In a statement, Chalmers acknowledged the 'significant problem of illegal tobacco' but endorsed enforcement over price measures. 'Tobacco excise is an important public health measure to encourage people to give up smoking,' Chalmers said. 'We are working with NSW and the other states and territories when it comes to the enforcement challenge with illegal tobacco.' NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey was undaunted by Chalmers' disapproval, saying he intended to raise the issue with his federal counterpart. 'We can't ignore the fact there's an interaction between the federal exercise and the emergence of illegal tobacco,' he said. 'The first response needs to be through Health Ministers but I'm certainly of the point that I will make the argument to the Commonwealth, to Mr Chalmers and to others as well.'
