British celebrities published private information on the 'Dark Web' after the company that represents them was hacked.
Bosses of the agency have written all their customers – including Dame Emma Thompson and Doctor Who Boss Russell t Davies – to warn them that their data was leaked after an attack by cyber criminal group Rhysida.
They said that the data – published on a coded part of the web that is often used by criminals – may include bank details and addresses.
An e-mail from Stephen Durbridge at the London-based company said: “We have learned that the Rhysida group published the data from us on the Dark Web, and although this has now been removed, the files in that space were made available for about 72 hours in that space.”
Customers were also encouraged to take steps to ensure that their identity was not stolen.
We have previously told how the criminals, who were previously focused on the British Library in one of the largest hacks of the VK – causing damage to £ 7 million – threatened to publish the data online, unless company bosses agreed to pay a ransom.
The agency, which was founded in 1995, represents much more of the leading writers, directors and creatives of Great -Britain, such as Oscar winning Bond film director Sir Sam Mendes and Happy Valley -maker Sally Wainwright.
The customers of the company are also Andrew Davies, the writer behind some of the most successful literary adjustments of TV, including Pride and Prejudice, Bleak House and War and Peace, and the Dramatists Hanif Kureishi and Peter Flannery.
Doctor Who -Baas Russell t Davies (photo) was one of the many British celebrities who represented the agency to leak their data in the hack
The high -profile clientele of the agency also includes actress and screenwriter Dame Emma Thompson
The details published by the hackers on a coded part of the web that is often used by criminals may contain bank details and addresses (stock image)
Various E -mails were sent to customers who currently emphasize the implications of the attack.
In an e -mail on Tuesday, February 18, Bethan Evans, one of the agents of the company, wrote: 'The agency was subject to a ransomware attack by a criminal cyber group.
“This caused a significant IT failure when the malware implemented company data files implemented and the access was prevented.”
She added: 'The Ransomware group of Rhysida, which has lately (including the British Library) aimed many high-profile organizations, contacted us late night to say that they are behind the attack.
“They claim that they have stolen data they will publish if they have not paid ransom.”
In a separate e -mail the next day, Mr Durbridge told customers that he was 'confident' at that time that the information had not been leaked.
Oscar winning Bond film director Sir Sam Mendes (right) is represented by the office
Happy Valley -maker Sally Wainwright (photo) is also represented by the agency, which was founded in 1995
He said: 'Although we remain sure that no information has been made yet, we are advised that there is a reasonable chance that the hackers will leak the files they have stolen.
“Unfortunately, this does contain some of your data.”
The company urges customers to take different steps to ensure that their identity is not stolen for financial gain.
This includes registering with a fraud prevention service and obtaining a copy of their credit files, so that they can follow authorized transactions.
The office referred to the office of the information commissioner who monitors all data breaches.
The agency was not available for comment last night.
