Two UK teens charged in connection to Scattered Spider ransomware attacks

Two UK Teens Face Charges for Scattered Spider Ransomware Chaos UK authorities have nabbed two teenagers, Thalha Jubair and Owen Flowers, for their alleged roles in the Scattered Spider group’s ransomware rampage, which hit 47 US companies and raked in over $115 million in payouts. This crew specialized in breaching networks, stealing data, and extorting victims with threats to leak sensitive info—think of it as digital kidnapping for profit. The charges also tie them to a high-profile attack on London’s public transport system, causing months of disruption and highlighting how even major outfits can stumble. For SMBs and MSPs, this underscores the real-world risks of lax cybersecurity, as opportunistic hackers with basic skills can wreak havoc on smaller operations that lack robust defenses, potentially leading to crippling downtime and hefty recovery costs. It’s a wake-up call that even everyday businesses need to fortify their digital perimeters to avoid becoming easy marks in this escalating cyber threat landscape. Takeaways: - Small businesses face growing ransomware risks from amateur hackers.

    **Key takeaways**
    - Basic network breaches can cost SMBs millions in downtime and ransoms. - MSPs should audit client defenses to prevent similar intrusions. - Invest in employee training to spot phishing early.

    **Source:** [https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/09/two-uk-teens-charged-in-connection-to-scattered-spider-ransomware-attacks/](https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/09/two-uk-teens-charged-in-connection-to-scattered-spider-ransomware-attacks/)

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