Cyber Christmas: Iran’s Holiday Hack Hits the UK
Just when you thought “time of year to hang up decking” was the only thing getting swayed by holiday cheer, the Internet itself got a little Santa‑ish surprise—though no presents were delivered.
What Went Down
On 23 December, emails went out to the UK’s Post Office and local government networks like a bad Santa’s sleigh glitchingly dropping gifts into the wrong country. Thanks to a little (or perhaps a lot?) cyber‑blessing from Iran, more than 10 000 personal data files were pilfered. The stolen goodies included:
- Postal addresses and email addresses
- Phone numbers (both mobiles & landlines)
- Company titles and positions
- The mobile number of Paula Vennells, the Post Office chief executive—yes, even corporate big wigs made the list
- Names of 10 peers and MPs who, no doubt, couldn’t attend their Christmas parties because of all the sneaking data‑snuj
Not Just the Post Office
The cyber‑rooled rose not only to the Post Office but also to banks, private firms, and even the parliamentary network that was hit back in 2017. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps—or as the cyber‑crowd dubbed it, “irresistible hackers”—was named by experts as the mastermind behind these digital spoils.
What the Quiet Britain’s Security Brigade Said
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre kept mum, yet confirmed they were “aware of a cyber incident affecting some UK organisations in late 2018.” A bit of an officials’ hide‑and‑seek but they’re not quite sure if the 2018 or 2019 event was the same or just a sequel.
Security Guru’s Rant
“Political drama is the perfect playground for cyber villains!” – Darren Anstee, chief tech officer at Netscout. He added that Iran’s groups blend fancy tricks with off‑the‑shelf crimeware, turning their hacks from a small workshop into a mega machine.
- “It’s not big surprise anyone in Iran can throw a cyber storm at the UK.”
- “These guys aren’t just poking at systems—they’re showing off new tactics, like a tech‑savvy villain on a holiday spree.”
- “Governments and firms should build a joint force to deface, hack, and neutralise next time before the traffic jams begin.”
Takeaways
So, next time you’re loading an email search for a “just‑in‑case” potluck list, remember: In 2021, someone may have messed with your data before the festivities. Keep your software up‑to‑date, enable two‑factor authentication, and if it’s the holiday season, consider giving that extra data shield a holiday‑special larger icon.
Stay safe, keep your inbox merry, and don’t let the cyberspace elves steal the Wi‑Fi!
