Hundreds of Passwords Revealed as Cyber Breach Hits UK Government
(MENAFN) A significant cybersecurity breach within the UK government has revealed hundreds of passwords, raising urgent concerns about deeper vulnerabilities, media reported Tuesday, citing a new investigation. Experts warn the exposure poses serious threats to public safety and critical infrastructure.
Over the past year, more than 700 email addresses and associated passwords from nine UK government domains have surfaced on the dark web, according to NordStellar, a threat exposure management platform monitoring illicit online activity.
Among the hardest-hit departments are the Ministry of Justice, Department for Work and Pensions, and Ministry of Defense, the report states. It also details nine separate attempts to sell classified documents tied to UK military and NATO operations.
Other compromised entities include the Home Office, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Department for Transport, UK Parliament, Department of Health and Social Care, and HM Revenue and Customs.
“The leaks could give hackers access to sensitive systems such as police records, infrastructure networks, and databases containing citizens’ private information,” said Vakaris Noreika, head of product at NordStellar, as quoted by media. Noreika emphasized the need for urgent measures to address these glaring cybersecurity weaknesses.
Gareth Mott, cybersecurity analyst at the Royal United Services Institute, added, “All it takes is for one account to be active still, and that’s a potential initial attack vector.” He warned the breach could severely damage national security, public trust, and even the economy depending on how the data is exploited.
The UK has witnessed a surge in high-profile cyberattacks recently. Earlier this year, the Legal Aid Agency was hacked, exposing extensive personal data. In June, HMRC disclosed a £47 million ($63 million) loss due to phishing attacks on taxpayer accounts. Major private firms like M&S, Jaguar Land Rover, and the Co-op have also suffered ransomware attacks linked to dark web criminal groups.
In January, the National Audit Office issued a stark warning that government departments are falling behind on cybersecurity, labeling the national threat as “severe and advancing quickly.”
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