Formula 1 teams targeted by global hacker network

Several Formula 1 teams have been targeted by a global hacker network. The hackers allegedly used phishing to access email and social media accounts, including those of F1 team employees.

At issue is a hacker group called WhiteInt based in India's Gurugram, a city that attracts many highly educated Indians and ex-pats. Hackers from the group were allegedly hired by private investigators, who were in turn linked to autocratic states and wealthy clients of British lawyers. Reported The Sunday Times and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.

The group reportedly targeted over 100 victims. Among the hacked victims are said to be Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer (at the time Aston Martin team boss) and Alfa Romeo chief strategist Ruth Buscombe. The hackers also provided access to accounts of British MPs and the president of Switzerland, as well as people who expressed criticism of Qatar.

Recently, the Ferrari F1 team was reportedly hit by a ransomware attack, but the team denied having evidence of a breach in its systems. However, the team did announce an investigation and stated it would take "all necessary measures".