Additional Coverage:
A youth hacking group known as Scattered Spider is suspected of being behind a recent cyberattack on Hawaiian Airlines, according to the FBI. The attack, which the airline confirmed earlier this week, disrupted some IT systems but did not impact flight operations or passenger safety. Hawaiian Airlines stated they are working with authorities and experts to address the ongoing situation.
The FBI indicated that this incident, along with several other recent cyberattacks, bears the hallmarks of Scattered Spider’s previous activities. The group, comprised of young adults and teenagers based in the U.S. and Britain, is known for large-scale phishing, ransomware operations, and other cyberattacks targeting major corporations and their IT contractors.
The FBI warned that anyone within the airline ecosystem, including vendors and contractors, could be vulnerable to these attacks. Scattered Spider typically infiltrates networks to steal sensitive data for extortion and often deploys ransomware.
This latest incident follows two other major cyberattacks this month. One targeted United Natural Foods Inc., a key supplier for Whole Foods, leading to widespread disruptions. The other involved international insurance company Aflac, where client data, including Social Security numbers, was stolen using techniques similar to those employed by Scattered Spider.