The teens holding Britain's top retailers to ransom: Fears Scattered Spider gang 'behind M&S cyber attack' are linked to Co-op and Harrods hacks as experts issue warning to stores
A shadowy youth gang reported to be behind the M&S cyber attack could target other major UK retailers with the aim of 'causing maximum disruption', a cyber expert has warned.
M&S CEO Stuart Manchin confirmed today that the high street giant had still not been able to restore all its systems following the devastating hack but was aiming to 'get things back to normal as quickly as possible'.
Yesterday, Harrods became the latest retailer to reveal it has been targeted by cyber hackers, shortly after a similar announcement by the Co-op.
Some observers have blamed the M&S attack on a group operating under the name Scattered Spider, and there are fears all the attacks could be linked.
Julius Cerniauskas, CEO of web intelligence experts Oxylabs, told MailOnline: 'Following the M&S cyber attack and the potential involvement of hacking group Scattered Spider, all major UK retailers will be seriously worried if they'll be tangled in the web next.
'The impact on the M&S share price shows the damage these attacks can do and will have many corporate retailers working day and night to ensure they do not suffer a similar fate.
'Ransomware gangs typically target companies like Marks & Spencer with the aim of causing maximum disruption to force a quick payout. Their goal is simple: the greater the disruption, the greater the pressure on the company to pay the ransom.'
Scattered Spider is thought to be made up of 1,000 mainly British and American youths and young men, and has already gained global notoriety for a slew of attacks on major brands.
Such criminal outfits typically demand up to £10million in ransom for returning full access to firms, according to industry sources.
Detectives have been working alongside the National Cyber Security Centre and data watchdog the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
After recent 'attempts to gain unauthorised access' to some of its systems, Harrods said on Wednesday that it 'restricted internet access' at its sites.
Its luxury Knightsbridge store remained open, as well as its airport and beauty shops.
Meanwhile, Co-op had to shut down parts of its IT system after discovering an attempted hack just days after the attack on M&S.
Trade website Bleeping Computer said 'multiple sources' pointed to Scattered Spider having gained access to M&S's servers as far back as February before putting their plan into action over Easter.
Previous arrests have seen alleged members of the criminal outfit from the UK being detained by cops.
Among them is Tyler Robert Buchanan. The 23-year-old is alleged to be Scattered Spider's leader. He was arrested at a Spanish airport in June last year.
Scotsman Buchanan is alleged to have been behind the 2023 hack of Las Vegas casino operators Caesar's Entertainment and MGM Resorts International.
US prosecutors also claim he was part of a sophisticated £9million cryptocurrency fraud, which saw victims being sent phishing text messages warning their accounts would be closed.
The link directed them to a legitimate-looking website which they then entered their personal details in. It's alleged the hacking gang then seized these details and used them to pilfer £9million worth of virtual currency.
Buchanan, of Dundee, was arrested in Spain earlier this year while on his way to Italy and is in custody awaiting extradition to the US to face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
Earlier this month he was charged alongside four American men, all of whom are below the age of 25. Should he be convicted in the US, he could face 47 years in jail.
Last year, a 17-year-old boy from Walsall was also arrested in connection with the same Las Vegas cyber attack.
He was detained by police last July on suspicion of Blackmail and Computer Misuse Act offences before being bailed pending further enquiries.
The boy is still under investigation, the National Crime Agency (NCA) confirmed to MailOnline today.
Officers from the Regional Organised Crime Unit for the West Midlands (ROCUWM) joined officers from the NCA, in coordination with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to carry out the strike.
Speaking at the time, Detective Inspector Hinesh Mehta, cyber crime unit manager, at ROCUWM, said: 'These cyber groups have targeted well known organisations with ramsomware and they have successfully targeted multiple victims around the world taking from them significant amounts of money.
'We want to send out a clear message that we will find you. It's simply not worth it.'
M&S chief Stuart Machin issued an update to customers this morning after 11 days of disruption.
'We are working day and night to manage the current cyber incident and get things back to normal for you as quickly as possible.
'Thank you from me and everyone at M&S for all the support you have shown us. We do not take it for granted and we are incredibly grateful.
'Our teams are doing the very best they can, and are ready to welcome you into our stores - whether you are shopping for food or for fashion, home and beauty this bank holiday weekend.
'Thank you for your support and thank you for shopping with us. We will continue to keep you updated.'
The supermarket first revealed it had been hit by a cyber attack on April 21.
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