The number of successful cyber attacks against UK law firms rose by 77% in the past year to 954, up from 538 the year before, according to a new study of the threat. Chartered accountants Lubbock Fine said that the wave is driven by criminals seeing law firms as prime targets for ransomware attacks or blackmail.
This is due to the sensitive personal and financial information they hold, which hackers can sell on the dark web or threaten to publish on the internet. Earlier this month, a global survey revealed that ransomware attackers have been paid off at least eight times in recent years.
Read more…
Source: The Law Society Gazette
Related:
- UK: Housing register still down weeks after cyber attack
August 28, 2024
A council housing register remains suspended weeks after it fell victim to a cyber attack, leaving thousands of residents vulnerable to a phishing scam. Salford City Council’s housing register is still down after a “cyber breach” on 2 August which left 5,200 people without access. Salford Home Search users have said they have not been able ...
- Cyber attacks on law firms jumped by 77% over the past year
August 27, 2024
The number of successful cyber attacks against UK law firms rose by 77% in the past year to 954, up from 538 the year before, according to a new study of the threat. Chartered accountants Lubbock Fine said that the wave is driven by criminals seeing law firms as prime targets for ransomware attacks or blackmail. This ...
- Laybuy collapsed after unreported cyber attack
August 26, 2024
A Klarna rival collapsed into bankruptcy after millions of pounds was stolen in a cyber attack. The collapse of Laybuy, a buy now, pay later (BNPL) start-up, followed a previously unreported hacking between December and February that left the business on the brink. Laybuy, which had more than 750,000 customers and was headquartered in New Zealand, filed ...
- Pakistan: FIA files cyberterrorism case against suspect for allegedly sharing fake news that incited UK riots
August 21, 2024
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested and booked a Lahore resident for allegedly sharing fake information that incited the recent riots across the UK, it emerged on Wednesday. More than a week after the kingdom witnessed widespread riots in the aftermath of the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport, law enforcement agencies began ...
- Ransomware attacks surge over 60% in UK and US
August 20, 2024
Malwarebytes’ 2024 State of Ransomware report published today (20 August) shows a surge in malicious activity on US and UK businesses. The “ThreatDown 2024 State of Ransomware” report reveals an alarming increase in ransomware attacks over the past year. In the US there has been a 63% increase in ransomware attacks on organisations and businesses, with ...
- Missing tycoon’s co-defendant fatally struck by car
August 20, 2024
The co-defendant of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch – who is currently missing in Italy – has died after being hit by a car. Stephen Chamberlain, 52, was Mr Lynch’s co-defendant in his US fraud trial in which both men were acquitted following the $11bn (£8.64bn) sale of the software giant Autonomy. Mr Chamberlain was the ...

