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03 March 2023 / Kingsley Hayes
Issue: 8015 / Categories: Features , Profession , Cybercrime , Criminal , Cyber , Technology , Risk management
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Cybercrime: avoiding the unthinkable

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With cyberattacks presenting a growing threat to UK businesses, Kingsley Hayes offers practical advice to help law firms avoid falling victim to online criminals
  • Looks at the wider privacy implications of the ransomware attack at The Guardian in December 2022.
  • Considers similar phishing attacks where personal data has been seized by criminals.
  • Argues companies targeted by cybercriminals have a responsibility to safeguard staff and discourage complacency regarding these attacks.

Hackers struck the Guardian Media Group on 20 December 2022. The cyberattack caused serious disruption to the media outlet’s business operations and involved the theft of a large quantity of personal data.

Go phish

The cyberattack on The Guardian involved phishing. A ‘phishing’ attack can be initiated where, for example, a hacker sends an email or text message to an employee of an organisation. This may include an innocent-looking website link or invitation for the recipient to open an attachment. Once the link is clicked, or the attachment opened, however, malicious software, such as

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

WSP Solicitors—David Ashcroft & Jessica O’Shea

WSP Solicitors—David Ashcroft & Jessica O’Shea

Commercial property and child law teams expand with senior hires

Duxton Hill Chambers—Lucas Bastin KC & Joshua Hiew

Duxton Hill Chambers—Lucas Bastin KC & Joshua Hiew

Set expands London and Singapore offering with senior international disputes hires

Gilson Gray—Gregor Duthie & Stephen Forsyth

Gilson Gray—Gregor Duthie & Stephen Forsyth

Firm strengthens real estate and litigation teams with partner promotions

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Five years after the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 came into force, concerns remain that the family courts continue to minimise allegations of abuse in child contact disputes
Uber has built a formidable strategy for insulating itself from liability for drivers’ conduct, but the legal terrain differs sharply between the US and England and Wales
The House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026 marks a constitutional watershed by severing the centuries-old link between hereditary titles and automatic membership of the upper chamber
The Civil Justice Council’s review of Part III of the Solicitors Act 1974 could mark the end of what one commentator calls an ‘outdated’ and overly technical regime governing solicitor-client fee disputes
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