Security Incident Shuts Down Victoria's Secret Website After Google Warns US Retailers
Security Incident Shuts Down Victoria's Secret Website After Google Warns US Retailers originally appeared on L.A. Mag.
Victoria's Secret, a leading force in lingerie and women's wear, deactivated its website today after an undisclosed security incident disrupted operations. The Ohio-based retailer took down their US website and suspended certain in-store services as a precaution, according to the announcement on the site's new landing page. All Victoria's Secret stores, including sub-brand PINK, remain open.'We identified and are taking steps to address a security incident,' the announcement said. 'Our team is working around the clock to fully restore operations. We appreciate your patience during this process.'The company also posted a similar message on Instagram, restricting all public comments.
This past month, a slew of cyberattacks hit a number of major retailers in the UK. Marks & Spencer, a shopping center for clothing, food, home and beauty, stopped taking online orders in late April after its website was hacked, stealing customer data in the process. Days later, Harrods, the iconic London-based department store, cited unauthorized access to the luxury brand's online systems.Just weeks ago, Google warned American companies that they're next.'US retailers should take note. These actors are aggressive, creative, and particularly effective at circumventing mature security programs,' according to an email from John Hultquist, an analyst from Google's cybersecurity team, shared by The Guardian.The British security breach, caused by individuals affiliated with hacking group 'Scattered Spider,' has not yet been officially connected to the incident at Victoria's Secret, but it wouldn't be these hackers' first time infiltrating an American company.Back in 2023, Scattered Spider took down the online systems of MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment. MGM involved law enforcement, while Caesars reportedly paid a $15 million ransom to restore operations.Although there's no clear sign as to when online shoppers can return to Victoria's Secret digitally, the brand claims no obvious threat to its physical stores.Victoria's Secret Co. did not respond to LA Mag's request for comment.
This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
37 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Panama will allow controversial mine to export already mined copper to fund maintenance
PANAMA CITY (AP) — Panama will allow a controversial mine that was closed after months of protests to export more than 120,000 tons of already mined copper concentrate to pay the costs of maintaining the inactive mine site, government officials announced Friday. Opposition to the massive copper mine led to some of Panama's most widespread protests in recent years before the country's Supreme Court rejected a deal that allowed a Canadian company to operate it. Toronto-based First Quantum Minerals said Friday that exporting the material that's sitting at the site will fund maintenance and environmental protection measures. Panama's President José Raúl Mulino called for those steps in March, when business groups were lobbying him to reopen the mine. Income from the mine accounted for nearly 5% of Panama gross domestic product the last year it operated. 'The purpose is to avoid, above all else, environmental damage,' Trade and Industry Minister Julio Moltó said Friday. He emphasized that the mine was not reopening, but said that the plan would ensure the site remained safe. The open-pit mine was temporarily closed in 2022 when talks between the government and First Quantum broke down over payments the government wanted. In March 2023, Panama's Congress reached an agreement with First Quantum, allowing subsidiary Panama Copper to continue operating the mine in a biodiverse jungle on the Atlantic coast west of the capital for at least 20 more years. The deal faced opposition from those who believed Panama wasn't getting as much as it should and from environmentalists and Indigenous groups who raised concerns about the mine's impact. Protests included a blockade of the mine's power plant. Protesters also blocked parts of the Pan American highway, including a stretch near the border with Costa Rica. On Nov. 28, 2023, Panama's Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the 20-year concession was unconstitutional and then-President Laurentino Cortizo announced the start of a process to close the mine.
The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
Panama will allow controversial mine to export already mined copper to fund maintenance
PANAMA CITY (AP) — Panama will allow a controversial mine that was closed after months of protests to export more than 120,000 tons of already mined copper concentrate to pay the costs of maintaining the inactive mine site, government officials announced Friday. Opposition to the massive copper mine led to some of Panama's most widespread protests in recent years before the country's Supreme Court rejected a deal that allowed a Canadian company to operate it. Toronto-based First Quantum Minerals said Friday that exporting the material that's sitting at the site will fund maintenance and environmental protection measures. Panama's President José Raúl Mulino called for those steps in March, when business groups were lobbying him to reopen the mine. Income from the mine accounted for nearly 5% of Panama gross domestic product the last year it operated. 'The purpose is to avoid, above all else, environmental damage,' Trade and Industry Minister Julio Moltó said Friday. He emphasized that the mine was not reopening, but said that the plan would ensure the site remained safe. The open-pit mine was temporarily closed in 2022 when talks between the government and First Quantum broke down over payments the government wanted. In March 2023, Panama's Congress reached an agreement with First Quantum, allowing subsidiary Panama Copper to continue operating the mine in a biodiverse jungle on the Atlantic coast west of the capital for at least 20 more years. The deal faced opposition from those who believed Panama wasn't getting as much as it should and from environmentalists and Indigenous groups who raised concerns about the mine's impact. Protests included a blockade of the mine's power plant. Protesters also blocked parts of the Pan American highway, including a stretch near the border with Costa Rica. On Nov. 28, 2023, Panama's Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the 20-year concession was unconstitutional and then-President Laurentino Cortizo announced the start of a process to close the mine.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The 20 counties where taxpayers netted the highest capital gains
The more value that investors can receive in the form of long-term capital gains rather than ordinary income, the less they will pay back to Uncle Sam. Those in the 20 counties below ranked by the average net capital gains reported on their federal returns to the IRS are getting above-average appreciation on their assets with much lower tax rates, generally, than their incoming income, according to a study last month by advisor lead generation and client matchmaking service SmartAsset. The mix of areas known for a large concentration of wealthy residents and regions that don't immediately come to mind as a home to lots of rich people offered only more evidence of the investment industry's national scope. For financial advisors and their clients, the list provided geographic insights into the potential wealth management client base in the areas, and a reminder of important state-level variations in taxes that could affect portfolios and after-tax yields. "Net capital gains represent the profits a taxpayer recognizes from selling a capital asset after offsetting capital losses. These gains are often created by highly appreciated assets," Kathy Buchs, a senior tax advisor, team leader and managing director with Cleveland, Ohio-based registered investment advisory firm MAI Capital Management, said in an email. "We take geography into account when advising clients to sell an asset or consider tax loss harvesting due to state income tax ramifications," Buchs continued. "For example, California is a high-tax state that does not have preferential rates for capital gains. Therefore, it tends to be much more expensive to recognize gains in that state as compared to others." That difference in tax rules at the state level raises the possibility of strategies such as an incomplete gift non-grantor trust that, in some areas, could "eliminate the state taxation of the trust-owned portfolio," said Richard Austin, an executive director for estate and business planning with San Diego and Waltham, Massachusetts-based RIA firm Integrated Partners. In some cases, investors can even offset their capital gains for federal tax purposes based on losses in other holdings, he noted in an email. "Tax efficiency significantly impacts the performance of a client's portfolio by maximizing the after-tax return on investments," Austin said. "Investing across different countries and regions can reduce portfolio volatility. Markets in different parts of the world often have low correlation, meaning they don't always move in the same direction at the same time. If one market experiences a downturn, others might perform well, potentially stabilizing overall returns and the potential for future capital gains. State-specific tax rates impact tax efficiency of a portfolio. The difference in state income taxes creates a significant layer of complexity in achieving tax efficiency for a client's portfolio." Even though any type of data presents the possibility of noise factors affecting any particular region, the study "highlights that taking geography into account is essential when advising clients on their asset allocations," said Michelle Ash, a senior wealth advisor with the Jacksonville, Florida-based office of RIA firm Mercer Advisors. "Net capital gains is measured when a person is selling assets, and so it requires past investment success to be in that position," Ash said in an email. "It's no surprise to me that Florida would be the top state by this metric. Florida has no state income, inheritance or estate taxes, and so it's a beneficial place to live when you're selling assets. These Florida traits also attract a lot of retiring individuals who may be selling assets like homes and businesses when they retire or move." In focusing on capital gains, SmartAsset sought to home in on the areas where investors netted the most gains with preferential rates compared to ordinary income, according to the report's author, SmartAsset Director of Economic Analysis Jaclyn DeJohn. "Net capital gains, the profits from selling assets like stocks, real estate or businesses, are a key measure of investment success and regional wealth," DeJohn wrote. "Overall, high net capital gains can signal robust markets and affluent populations, with realized gains potentially boosting local economies through tax revenues and spending." Besides the listing below, here are some of the other interesting takeaways from the study: Three Georgia counties, Chattahoochee, Quitman and Taliaferro, displayed the smallest average net capital gains, at $2,400 or less. Fewer than 10% of returns in the counties had net capital gains. At the state level, West Virginia tax returns had the lowest average net capital gains at $14,612, followed by Wisconsin with $19,590 and Iowa with $20,220. On the other end of the spectrum among the states, federal returns out of Florida ($84,911), Wyoming ($84,246), Nevada ($77,491), the District of Columbia ($58,733) and Texas ($52,926) reported the highest average net capital gains. Scroll down the slideshow for the ranking of the top 20 counties in the U.S. in terms of average net capital gains. To see a list of the top 10 cities with the highest income among retirees, click here. For the group of the top 20 metropolitan areas where financial advisors' median pay increased the most last year, follow this link. Note: The below rankings are based on a report by SmartAsset called, "Where Americans Earn the Most From Investments." The study crunched the latest tax return data for the 2022 tax year released by the IRS across 3,022 U.S. counties and for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The data include average net capital gains and investment-yield figures like taxable and tax-exempt interest and ordinary and qualified dividends. # of returns: 15,180# of returns reporting net capital gains: 6,010 (40%)Mean taxable interest: $40,033Mean tax-exempt interest: $39,659Mean qualified dividends: $167,921Mean ordinary dividends: $196,121Average net capital gains: $515,267 # of returns: 2,390# of returns reporting net capital gains: 150 (6%)Mean taxable interest: $977Mean tax-exempt interest: $1,600Mean qualified dividends: $4,055Mean ordinary dividends: $6,336Average net capital gains: $317,793 # of returns: 10,480# of returns reporting net capital gains: 4,170 (40%)Mean taxable interest: $30,111Mean tax-exempt interest: $28,688Mean qualified dividends: $53,044Mean ordinary dividends: $67,047Average net capital gains: $312,592 # of returns: 1,480# of returns reporting net capital gains: 300 (20%)Mean taxable interest: $6,082Mean tax-exempt interest: $13,317Mean qualified dividends: $11,627Mean ordinary dividends: $16,190Average net capital gains: $233,680 # of returns: 24,870# of returns reporting net capital gains: 9,370 (38%)Mean taxable interest: $9,425Mean tax-exempt interest: $22,022Mean qualified dividends: $36,713Mean ordinary dividends: $47,348Average net capital gains: $219,262 # of returns: 45,760# of returns reporting net capital gains: 12,220 (27%)Mean taxable interest: $13,432Mean tax-exempt interest: $29,645Mean qualified dividends: $66,673Mean ordinary dividends: $75,201Average net capital gains: $191,886 # of returns: 784,220# of returns reporting net capital gains: 216,920 (28%)Mean taxable interest: $16,155Mean tax-exempt interest: $29,882Mean qualified dividends: $42,043Mean ordinary dividends: $50,783Average net capital gains: $186,281 # of returns: 1,436,490# of returns reporting net capital gains: 202,220 (14%)Mean taxable interest: $13,127Mean tax-exempt interest: $23,350Mean qualified dividends: $29,924Mean ordinary dividends: $38,036Average net capital gains: $184,899 # of returns: 213,630# of returns reporting net capital gains: 73,450 (34%)Mean taxable interest: $12,151Mean tax-exempt interest: $29,690Mean qualified dividends: $47,507Mean ordinary dividends: $57,951Average net capital gains: $184,017 # of returns: 4,500# of returns reporting net capital gains: 1,560 (35%)Mean taxable interest: $9,440Mean tax-exempt interest: $17,268Mean qualified dividends: $25,636Mean ordinary dividends: $37,121Average net capital gains: $183,261 # of returns: 13,540# of returns reporting net capital gains: 4,910 (36%)Mean taxable interest: $10,555Mean tax-exempt interest: $19,372Mean qualified dividends: $38,999Mean ordinary dividends: $48,990Average net capital gains: $176,812 # of returns: 10,580# of returns reporting net capital gains: 1,720 (16%)Mean taxable interest: $1,262Mean tax-exempt interest: $4,845Mean qualified dividends: $3,916Mean ordinary dividends: $5,540Average net capital gains: $150,127 # of returns: 846,440# of returns reporting net capital gains: 302,610 (36%)Mean taxable interest: $19,397Mean tax-exempt interest: $18,965Mean qualified dividends: $32,211Mean ordinary dividends: $42,540Average net capital gains: $149,273 # of returns: 40,310# of returns reporting net capital gains: 10,470 (26%)Mean taxable interest: $8,426Mean tax-exempt interest: $17,430Mean qualified dividends: $21,624Mean ordinary dividends: $27,814Average net capital gains: $140,537 # of returns: 84,420# of returns reporting net capital gains: 28,290 (34%)Mean taxable interest: $10,613Mean tax-exempt interest: $19,398Mean qualified dividends: $32,712Mean ordinary dividends: $39,381Average net capital gains: $130,146 # of returns: 85,800# of returns reporting net capital gains: 25,510 (30%)Mean taxable interest: $9,009Mean tax-exempt interest: $23,468Mean qualified dividends: $35,483Mean ordinary dividends: $42,487Average net capital gains: $126,594 # of returns: 16,800# of returns reporting net capital gains: 4,520 (27%)Mean taxable interest: $5,083Mean tax-exempt interest: $10,513Mean qualified dividends: $13,262Mean ordinary dividends: $17,528Average net capital gains: $113,429 # of returns: 4,920# of returns reporting net capital gains: 1,480 (30%)Mean taxable interest: $1,936Mean tax-exempt interest: $10,200Mean qualified dividends: $17,662Mean ordinary dividends: $18,627Average net capital gains: $111,880 # of returns: 1,213,090# of returns reporting net capital gains: 188,570 (16%)Mean taxable interest: $7,393Mean tax-exempt interest: $14,890Mean qualified dividends: $20,200Mean ordinary dividends: $24,441Average net capital gains: $110,534 # of returns: 636,070# of returns reporting net capital gains: 172,730 (27%)Mean taxable interest: $5,131Mean tax-exempt interest: $9,958Mean qualified dividends: $12,869Mean ordinary dividends: $16,792Average net capital gains: $109,439
