UK Defense Ministry targeted in major cyber-attack, China suspected
On Monday, May 6, British services were put on the highest alert. According to Sky News, there were supposed hacker attacks on the islands targeting the local Ministry of Defense. British television claims that China was most likely behind them.
7:01 AM EDT, May 7, 2024
The subsequent days in Great Britain were filled with tension. On Monday evening, May 6, local media reported that the British Ministry of Defense had potentially been the target of two or even three hacker attacks. According to Sky News, it's possible that one of these attempts was successful.
The hackers allegedly aimed to steal information about the salaries of top generals and ministry employees. Meanwhile, they also attempted to access the data of all personnel within the Ministry of Defense in England, including that of local veterans. As a consequence, their names and bank information could have been compromised.
British media suggest China was behind the attack
While the British government has not officially blamed any country, Sky News asserts it was China. Reports from these journalists suggest that there is a high likelihood of an official accusation against China for attempting to hack into the ministry being made shortly.
The government is currently urging calm among those affected by the incident. It also guarantees full support, including assistance in securing their data. According to the British government, a two-day analysis and countermeasure effort likely proved successful, ensuring the Ministry of Defense employees' data safety.
This attempted hack by Chinese hackers may stem from a significant deterioration in relations between the two nations. This incident occurred a few months after the British government accused China of other cyber-attacks. Moreover, for a long time, England has been identified as one of the primary targets of hybrid attacks by countries allied with Russia.
