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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/24/cyber-attack-parliament-email-access
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Cyber-attack on parliament leaves MPs unable to access emails | Cyber-attack on parliament leaves MPs unable to access emails |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Parliament has been hit by a “sustained and determined” cyber-attack by hackers attempting to gain access to MPs’ and their staffers’ email accounts. | Parliament has been hit by a “sustained and determined” cyber-attack by hackers attempting to gain access to MPs’ and their staffers’ email accounts. |
| Both houses of parliament were targeted on Friday in an attack that sought to gain access to accounts protected by weak passwords. MPs said they were unable to access their emails after the attack began. | Both houses of parliament were targeted on Friday in an attack that sought to gain access to accounts protected by weak passwords. MPs said they were unable to access their emails after the attack began. |
| The estate’s digital services team said they had made changes to accounts to block the hackers from gaining access, and that the changes could mean staff were unable to access their emails. | The estate’s digital services team said they had made changes to accounts to block the hackers from gaining access, and that the changes could mean staff were unable to access their emails. |
| An email sent to all those affected and seen by the Guardian said: “Earlier this morning we discovered unusual activity and evidence of an attempted cyber-attack on our computer network. | An email sent to all those affected and seen by the Guardian said: “Earlier this morning we discovered unusual activity and evidence of an attempted cyber-attack on our computer network. |
| “Closer investigation by our team confirmed that hackers were carrying out a sustained and determined attack on all parliamentary user accounts in an attempt to identify weak passwords. These attempts specifically were trying to gain access to our emails. | “Closer investigation by our team confirmed that hackers were carrying out a sustained and determined attack on all parliamentary user accounts in an attempt to identify weak passwords. These attempts specifically were trying to gain access to our emails. |
| “We have been working closely with the National Cyber Security Centre to identify the method of the attack and have made changes to prevent the attackers gaining access, however our investigation continues.” | “We have been working closely with the National Cyber Security Centre to identify the method of the attack and have made changes to prevent the attackers gaining access, however our investigation continues.” |
| The changes are believed to have stopped MPs and their offices from accessing emails on mobile phones and tablets outside Westminster. “Access to systems from the Westminster estate has not been affected,” the email said before adding that further disruption was likely. | The changes are believed to have stopped MPs and their offices from accessing emails on mobile phones and tablets outside Westminster. “Access to systems from the Westminster estate has not been affected,” the email said before adding that further disruption was likely. |
| The Liberal Democrat peer Chris Rennard said a “cybersecurity attack on Westminster parliamentary emails” meant access to accounts may be restricted. | The Liberal Democrat peer Chris Rennard said a “cybersecurity attack on Westminster parliamentary emails” meant access to accounts may be restricted. |
| Henry Smith, the Conservative MP for Crawley, said on Twitter: “Sorry no parliamentary email access today – we’re under cyber-attack from Kim Jong-un, Putin or a kid in his mom’s basement or something...” | Henry Smith, the Conservative MP for Crawley, said on Twitter: “Sorry no parliamentary email access today – we’re under cyber-attack from Kim Jong-un, Putin or a kid in his mom’s basement or something...” |
| The international trade secretary, Liam Fox, told ITV News the attack was a “warning to everyone we need more security and better passwords. You wouldn’t leave your door open at night.” | |
| A House of Commons spokesperson said: “The Houses of Parliament have discovered unauthorised attempts to access parliamentary user accounts. | A House of Commons spokesperson said: “The Houses of Parliament have discovered unauthorised attempts to access parliamentary user accounts. |
| “We are continuing to investigate this incident and take further measures to secure the computer network, liaising with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). | |
| “We have systems in place to protect member and staff accounts and are taking the necessary steps to protect our systems.” | “We have systems in place to protect member and staff accounts and are taking the necessary steps to protect our systems.” |
| They said that the lack of remote access for users was not part of the attack, but due to protection measures dealing with the incident. “Parliament has disabled remote access to protect the network.” | They said that the lack of remote access for users was not part of the attack, but due to protection measures dealing with the incident. “Parliament has disabled remote access to protect the network.” |
| The National Crime Agency said it was working with the NCSC on the issue. | The National Crime Agency said it was working with the NCSC on the issue. |
| It tweeted: | |
| We're aware of a possible cyber incident affecting parliament & are actively cooperating with @ncsc who're leading the operational response pic.twitter.com/YOvPwQvn37 | We're aware of a possible cyber incident affecting parliament & are actively cooperating with @ncsc who're leading the operational response pic.twitter.com/YOvPwQvn37 |