Russian hackers have compromised the email accounts of British government officials and Foreign Office staff stationed abroad. The stolen login credentials are being offered for sale on darknet forums for up to $60,000, according to The Daily Telegraph.
The breach affected accounts that could potentially provide access to sensitive Whitehall systems. Those affected include diplomats and staff at overseas missions, such as the embassies in Thailand and Mauritius.
The hackers obtained not only the email addresses of Foreign Office staff but also their passwords, enabling potential darknet buyers to gain further access to government networks. This leak poses a serious threat to national security, as it could lead to the exposure of confidential diplomatic correspondence, details of foreign policy operations, and the key contacts of British officials.
The breach represents a significant threat to UK national security. Access to the correspondence of diplomats and officials could expose confidential information regarding London’s foreign policy, operations, and contacts.
Cybersecurity experts note that such leaks are often exploited not only for espionage but also for subsequent attacks aimed at extortion or the dissemination of disinformation.