A cyberattack has recently rocked Greater Manchester, compromising the security of several local councils and leaving thousands of residents vulnerable to a phishing scam. The Greater Manchester cyberattack, which initially targeted a single borough before spreading, has had a major impact on the housing websites managed by Locata, a software company providing services for councils across the UK.
The Greater Manchester cyberattack first emerged on July 29, affecting the housing portals for Manchester, Salford, and Bolton councils. Locata, which operates these platforms, promptly suspended the websites to address the breach. The attack led to the dissemination of phishing emails that falsely requested users to “activate your tenancy options” and solicit personal data.
Scope of the Greater Manchester Cyberattack
Locata acknowledged theGreater Manchester cyberattack in a statement, noting, “We identified an IT security incident which impacted a small number of public-facing websites we manage on behalf of local authorities. We moved quickly to manage the issue, and are working with third-party IT experts to investigate the matter”, as reported by BBC.
Manchester City Council, which oversees the Manchester Move platform, reported that the phishing scam had affected only the publicly accessible portion of the website. Although only a limited amount of personal information was compromised, the Manchester Move website remains offline while officials work to ensure the security of users’ data. A statement on the site advises affected individuals to follow steps provided by the UK National Cyber Security Centre to mitigate any potential damage.
Salford City Council also responded by temporarily shutting down its Home Search website. The council warned users to be cautious of any suspicious emails and to monitor their bank accounts for unusual activity. The extent of personal data exposed remains uncertain, with Salford City Council urging affected individuals to contact their bank and report any fraudulent transactions to Action Fraud.
Bolton’s housing service, Homes for Bolton, is currently offline for maintenance. Affected residents are advised to be vigilant about any phishing emails and to take appropriate steps if they suspect their data has been compromised.
Recommendations for Affected Individuals
Following the recent Greater Manchester phishing scam, local authorities have issued several important recommendations for those potentially affected. Residents are advised to closely monitor their bank accounts for any signs of unusual activity. If any suspicious transactions are detected, it is crucial to inform the bank immediately.
Additionally, any fraudulent transactions should be reported to Action Fraud to help prevent further issues. Affected individuals should also update passwords for any accounts using the same credentials as the compromised account to secure their information. Furthermore, considering a free credit report can help identify any discrepancies or signs of identity theft.
In response to the breach, Manchester City Council has taken additional steps by referring the incident to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s data protection regulator. This move ensures a thorough investigation into the Manchester data breach and aims to implement measures to prevent future incidents.
Locata, the company responsible for the affected housing websites, has expressed regret for the disruption caused by the cyberattack on Greater Manchester. The company stated, “We have informed those local authorities impacted and our investigation is ongoing. We apologize for what has happened and are working to ensure the security of affected systems.”
