Cyber Attack Leaves Manchester Residents Vulnerable

A cyber-attack on the software provider Locata has impacted several boroughs in Greater Manchester, leading to a phishing scam that has left thousands of residents vulnerable. Initially targeting Salford, the attack spread to Manchester and Bolton, resulting in the housing websites being taken offline. Thousands of users received phishing emails prompting them to 'activate your tenancy options' and disclose personal information. Locata confirmed the security incident on July 29 and has been working with third-party IT experts to investigate and manage the situation. Local authorities have been informed, and they have advised residents to delete suspicious emails and monitor their bank accounts for any unusual activity. While the breach affected only the public-facing sections of the websites, a small amount of personal data was compromised, and the matter has been referred to the Information Commissioner's Office.