"Encourage young hackers' interest in a constructive direction": Cyber specialist issues an alarm following increased incidents of teenage hackers, referring to the TfL attack as a cause for concern after the teens' arrest.

Increase in Cyber Attacks Initiated by Young Individuals Poses a Concerning Alert, According to a Cyber Professional, After Two Minors Were Accused in a Previous Cyber Assault Against TfL.

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2025 September 27 . 10:13 PM

2 min read

Youth hacking incidents are on the rise, according to a cyber expert, who warns that this trend... — Youth hacking incidents are on the rise, according to a cyber expert, who warns that this trend should serve as a "wake-up call." The recent allegations surrounding teenage hackers involved in a TfL attack highlight the concern. Encouraging youth to channel their curiosity into constructive activities is crucial.

"Encourage young hackers' interest in a constructive direction": Cyber specialist issues an alarm following increased incidents of teenage hackers, referring to the TfL attack as a cause for concern after the teens' arrest.

In a series of shocking developments, two teenagers, Thalha Jubair (19) and Owen Flowers (18), have been charged under the Computer Misuse Act for allegedly targeting transport for London (TfL) last year. The National Crime Agency (NCA) and City of London Police carried out raids that led to their arrests. According to Paul Foster, deputy director and head of the NCA's National Cyber Crime Unit, these charges mark a significant step in a lengthy and complex investigation.

The notorious cyber crime group, Scattered Spider, is believed to be responsible for the attack on TfL, which severely disrupted systems and cost the rail operator upwards of £31 million in damages. The ICO report highlights security failings across the education sector, but it also emphasizes that many incidents are caused by students themselves.

One incident involved three Year 11 students who accessed a secondary school's information management system, holding personal information on around 1,400 students. In another case, a student accessed a college's information management system, viewing, amending, and deleting personal information. The system stored details on more than 9,000 staff, students, and applicants.

Heather Toomey, principal cyber specialist at the ICO, warns that what starts as a dare or a challenge in a school setting can ultimately lead to children taking part in damaging attacks on organizations or critical infrastructure. Anna Chung, principal researcher for EMEA at Palo Alto Networks, shares similar concerns, stating that the arrests should serve as a "wake-up call" for authorities and highlight a failure to "properly engage a generation growing up in a digital-first world".

Young people don't usually turn to online mischief out of malice, but often due to a mixture of boredom, technical skills, and a lack of boundaries. A cybersecurity expert has warned that an increase in cyber attacks conducted by youths should be a "wake-up call". It is crucial for authorities, schools, and parents to address this issue and provide the necessary education and resources to prevent such incidents in the future.

At present, there is no information available about Anna Chung and Heather Toomey or their relevant positions for this development. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has issued a report warning about tech-savvy kids causing havoc at schools across the country. The report urges schools to take cybersecurity seriously and to educate students about the consequences of their actions. It is hoped that these efforts will help to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure the safety and security of personal data in educational institutions.