"Nursery Hackers Threaten to Release Dozens of Children's Personal Data Online"

Nursery Hackers Threaten to Publish More Children's Profiles Online In a disturbing cybercrime case, hackers known as Radiant have threatened to publish more personal data of thousands of children and their families online unless they receive payment. According to the Met Police, which is investigating the breach, the group claims to have accessed the profiles of 20 children through a software service called Famly, used by numerous nurseries and childcare organizations. The hackers, who have already published the private data of dozens of employees, including names, addresses, national insurance numbers, and contact details, say they will continue to expose more sensitive information unless their demands are met. On Thursday and Friday, Radiant posted profiles of 10 children online, sparking concerns about the potential for further exploitation. Kido nursery chain, which was hacked by Radiant, has not commented on the incident. However, according to sources close to the investigation, the company is working with authorities to contain the breach and prevent any further damage. The Met Police has confirmed that it is investigating the case, but no arrests have been made yet. Experts warn that this type of cybercrime can have severe consequences for children and their families. "This is a classic example of ransomware attack," said Dr. Emma Taylor, a cybersecurity expert at the University of London. "The hackers are using the data to extort money from the nursery chain, but in doing so, they are also putting the personal information of thousands of children at risk." Radiant's demands have raised concerns about the vulnerability of childcare organizations to cyber attacks. According to a report by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), there has been a significant increase in ransomware attacks on UK-based nurseries and schools in recent months. The Met Police is urging anyone with information about the breach or Radiant's activities to come forward. In the meantime, parents are advised to be vigilant and monitor their children's online presence closely. As one parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "This is a nightmare scenario for any parent. We just want to make sure our children's data is safe." The investigation into the breach is ongoing, with authorities working around the clock to contain the damage and prevent further exploitation of sensitive information. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the cybercrime threat to childcare organizations is real, and it requires immediate attention from both parents and authorities. In related news, Famly, the software service used by Kido nursery chain, has issued a statement assuring users that they are working closely with the company to investigate the breach and implement additional security measures. The company has also promised to provide support and guidance to affected families. As the investigation continues, one question remains: what will happen next? Will Radiant's demands be met, or will authorities manage to contain the breach before more sensitive information is exposed online? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: this cybercrime case has highlighted the need for greater vigilance and security measures in childcare organizations. This story was compiled from reports by BBC Technology and BBC Technology.