Nearly nine million holidaymakers’ data was stolen after a ‘sophisticated’ cyber-attack on three UK airports, it emerged today.
An extortion group behind the attack demanded ‘a ransom’ of several million pounds after seizing email addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registrations and postcodes from travellers who used Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports.
The attackers contacted Manchester Airport Group (MAG), which owns the three hubs, on Tuesday setting a deadline of 48 hours for payment if it wanted the data returned. It is understood the amount demanded was below £5million.
But MAG bosses refused, meaning the extortion group is now free to sell the data
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