Luton takeaway owners 'absolutely mortified' after hacker posts racist message online

Owners of an award-winning Luton takeaway were "mortified" after hackers posted a message online mocking the Black Lives Matter movement.
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Chicken George, on Hitchin Road, has been open since 1985 and has won numerous awards including Britain's Best Takeaway in 2016, as well as having a 5* food hygiene rating.

On Saturday, June 6, a hacker took over the shop's Instagram account and used it to post the offensive message.

The takeaway has since hired a cyber security company to investigate the incident and published part of the report on its Facebook page.

Chicken GeorgeChicken George
Chicken George

Chicken George stated online: "We have now received a report from the cyber security company we hired to look into the disgusting post that appeared on our Instagram story and they have confirmed that we were hacked.

"We are still absolutely mortified that the awful post appeared on our story and we would like to confirm and reassure everyone that we are fully behind the Black Lives Matter Movement.

"We will continue to support the black community in every way we can, just like we have done since we opened our doors to all communities in 1985.

"We really hope that this evidence will prove that we had nothing to do with that disgusting post but if anyone would like to discuss this or any other matter please do get in touch."

The report concluded that the takeaway's valid account information was involved in several data breaches. As the restaurant's password was available online, even a low-skilled malicious user could obtain it.

To prevent these types of attacks from happening again, the restaurant was urged to employ a password manager.

Businesses using social media are also recommended to carry out "cyber-hygiene" practices including using authentication such as security questions, updating passwords regularly, and checking for suspicious activity, as well as minimising access to accounts.

"In Chicken George's case, the investigators found clear evidence of unauthorized log-ins. Therefore, it's recommended that you check your account logs and monitor them carefully, making sure that no-one unauthorized has access. If you see something suspicious, change the password immediately," said Chad Hammond, a security expert at NordPass.

Despite the online security breach, it's not all bad news for Chicken George, whose second branch is due to open in Hitchin this Friday.