The threat of cyberattacks continues to loom large around the globe in 2024. From phishing scams looking to snare unsuspecting users to massive ransomware attacks on major companies, we all have to remain vigilant.
But throughout the first two decades of the 21st century, British companies and institutions have already been subject to damaging data breaches. It includes attacks on airlines, health care providers and even a library.
We have taken a look through the biggest cyberattacks in Britain in the last 15 years. See the timeline in our gallery below - it is in chronological order.
We have taken a look through the biggest cyberattacks in Britain in the last 15 years. See the timeline in our gallery below - it is in chronological order.
5. Three Mobile UK (2016)
A security breach saw personal information of 130,000 Three network users stolen in November 2016. The company said that no financial details were accessed. Three men were arrested over the breach, which saw cybercriminals access the upgrade database in an attempt to steal handsets. Photo: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images | HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images Photo: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images
6. Wonga (2017)
Payday loan firm Wonga was hit by a major data breach in April 2017. Up to 270,000 customers were affected by the attack and saw personal data breached. The company contacted affected customers directly. Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images | Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
7. Equifax (2017)
In this hack, which affected Equifax customers around the globe as well as in Britain, saw the records of 15.2 million UK customers breached - it was discovered in 2017. The Financial Conduct Authority fined Equifax a whopping £11,164,400 for failing to manage and monitor the security of UK consumer data it had outsourced to its parent company based in the US. Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images | Leon Neal/Getty Images Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images
8. Dixons Carphone hack (2017-2018)
A nearly year-long hack between July 2017 and April 2018 saw the data of 14 million Dixon Carphone customers compromised. It includes the payment card details of 5.6 million people. The company was ultimately fined £500,000 by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in 2020. Photo: BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images | BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images Photo: BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images