Hackney Council suffered a devastating cyberattack in October 2020, exposing sensitive data belonging to residents. While the council initially did not know what information had been stolen, it was later revealed that some personal data had been leaked and made available for sale on the dark web. This breach has put thousands at risk of fraud, identity theft, and financial loss.
What happened in the Hackney Council cyberattack?
Hackney Council was hit by a ransomware attack, a type of cybercrime where hackers steal and encrypt data before demanding a ransom to unlock it. Later, some of the stolen data was dumped online by cybercriminals. This included highly sensitive information. Security researchers found Hackney Council data listed for sale on dark web, meaning criminals could now buy and use this information for fraud and identity theft.
What is the dark web?
The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that isn’t indexed by traditional search engines like Google. While some people use it for legitimate privacy reasons, it is also a hotspot for illegal activity, including the buying and selling of stolen personal data.
Unlike the surface web, where most of us browse daily, the dark web requires special software to access. Cybercriminals use it to trade stolen information anonymously, including bank details, National Insurance numbers, addresses, and login credentials. Once your data is listed for sale, it can be exploited by fraudsters, leading to identity theft, financial loss, and unauthorised transactions.
Are your details up for sale on the dark web?
If you were a Hackney Council resident at the time of the attack, your data could now be circulating among fraudsters. Stolen data often resurfaces in different places over time, meaning you could be at risk long after the initial breach.
Unfortunately, most people don’t realise their personal information has been exposed until it’s too late. Criminals often sit on stolen data for months or even years before selling or using it. Even if you haven’t noticed any suspicious activity yet, your details could still be out there, waiting to be exploited.
What can you do about the Hackney Council data breach?
If your personal information was breached in this cyberattack, you could be entitled to compensation. Data breaches are serious violations of privacy, and organisations must be held accountable when they fail to protect their residents’ information.
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