Hackers targeted a Portuguese media conglomerate to send false news alerts

Hackers targeted Grupo Impresa, one of Portugal’s leading media conglomerates, to spread false information to its subscribers. The cyber attack — which occurred early on 2 January — was reportedly carried out by a group called ‘Lapsus$’. Grupo Impresa said in a statement that the hackers had managed to take down some of the sites belonging to the company and send emails and text messages on behalf of the media group but had not demanded any payment. Subscribers to Grupo Impresa received false news alerts including one that said: “Breaking: President removed and accused of murder: Lapsus$ is Portugal’s new president”.