Luxury department store Harrods latest retail victim of a cyber attack

The luxury department store has been engaged today in attempts to fend of a cyber attack similar to those assailing Marks & Spencer and the Co-op, according to Sky News.

Further details of the attack on Harrods were unclear, although one customer was reportedly unable to pay for a purchase earlier in the day.

In a statement sent to Sky News, a Harrods spokesperson said: “We recently experienced attempts to gain unauthorised access to some of our systems.

“Our seasoned IT security team immediately took proactive steps to keep systems safe, and as a result, we have restricted internet access at our sites today.

“Currently, all sites including our Knightsbridge store, H beauty stores and airport stores remain open to welcome customers.

“Customers can also continue to shop via harrods.com.

“We are not asking our customers to do anything differently at this point, and we will continue to provide updates as necessary.”

Harrods is reportedly engaging specialist to help resolve and investigate the origin of the attack.

Marks & Spencer has been dealing with a cyber attack for the best part of two weeks now, and today announced it had paused staff hiring through its careers site.

The recruitment suspension is just the latest in a raft of issues which have piled up on M&S, which included stopping taking contactless payments. It has also disrupted the retailer’s click-and-collect service and the retailer has stopped taking online orders.

The Co-op has also been affected, and staff at the c-store specialist were told today to keep their cameras on during remote work meetings and to verify attendees.

The retailer said it was taking “proactive measures” to fend off the attack, and has admitted to it having a “small impact” on its call centre and back office systems.