Some of the greatest stars of Britain, including lady Emma Thompson, have been warned that their private information could be leaked online after notorious cyber criminals have hacked the computer systems of the company that represents them.
Bosses of the company called the agency have written all their famous customers to warn them that their confidential data is now in danger after a successful attack by the Ransomware group Rhysida.
The criminals who have previously focused on the British Library in one of the largest hacks of the UK – which causes damage is estimated to be £ 7 million – threaten to publish the data online, unless company bosses agree to pay a ransom.
The agency, which was founded in 1995, represents some of the leading writers, directors and creatives of Great -Britain, including the Oscar -Winning Bond film director Sir Sam Mendes, Russell t Davies, the boss of Doctor Who and Happy Valley Creator Selly 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.
Various Emails have been sent to customers who emphasize the implications of the attack.
In an e -mail that was sent last 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 an important IT failure when the malware encrypted business data files had been implemented and prevented access. '
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 that they will publish if they have not paid ransom. '
The details of Dame Emma Thompson run the risk leaked after the hack
Oscar winning director Sir Sam Mendes has also been the target of the cyber attack
Russell t Davies and other customers have been encouraged to take different steps to ensure that their identity is not stolen for financial gain
In a separate e -mail the next day, her colleague Stephen Durbridge said to customers: 'Although we are 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 contains 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 agency has also referred to the office of the information commissioner who monitors all data breaches.
A spokesperson for the ICO told the mail on Sunday: “We received a report from the agency and we ask.”
The agency was not available for comment.
