Cybercrime and the Mundane

The episode featured in this month’s post began late last month and will likely continue at least into the next: the ransomware attack on Marks & Spencer (M&S) and the reported associated attacks on Co-op and Harrods. While cyber-attacks can often seem abstract and ethereal, for those living in the UK this campaign might have had direct impact on day-to day-lives. While some may have had personal data compromised or been unable to make online purchases, the most obvious evidence of the attack on M&S could be observed by any UK resident simply by walking into one of the stores and noting the half-empty shelves. The impact was as mundane as day-to-day grocery shopping.