Cybersecurity firm warns of 'Scattered Spider'Hacking groups are currently targeting the airline and transportation industries.Mandiant, Google's cybersecurity armandPalo Alto Networks Security Research Group Unit 42of executives said they have observed cyberattacks against the aviation industry similar to "spider" incidents.
Scattered Spider is a group of predominantly English-speaking hackers, mostly teenagers and young adults, who are driven by financial gain to steal and extort sensitive data from corporate networks. These hackers are also known for their deceptive tactics, often relying on social engineering, phishing, and sometimes brute force threats against corporate help desks and call centers to gain access to corporate networks.
The warning comes after at least two airlines reported intrusions this month.
Hawaiian Airlines said late Thursday it was working to secure its systems following a cyber attack. WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline, reported that it suffered a cyberattack on June 13 that is still ongoing and has not yet been resolved. Media reports stated that the WestJet incident was related to the "Scattered Spider" incident.
Scattered Spider's new attacks come shortly after the cybercrime gang targeted the UK retail and insurance industries. Previously, these hackers have penetrated hotel chains, casinos and technology giants.