Experts investigate cyber attacks against the British Library

A group of cyber criminals, known as Rhysida, are under criminal investigation after sensitive data was stolen from the Library, according to The Guardian newspaper.

The investigation was launched after personal data and other sensitive information was seen for sale online and offered to the highest bidder, and the Libray has urged its members and those with accounts on the site to change their login information — like passwords — and hunt for their personal data online to protect themselves from the black-hat criminal hacking group.

The hackers reportedly found a bug in the organisation's security system and then used the opportunity to hack its servers. The incident is currently being investigated by the National Cyber Security Centre, the police, and likely the National Crime Agency.

Although Rhysida claimed to have hacked the Library and are believed to have done so, this has not been officially confirmed, nor proven, at this stage.

The entire network of the British Library is currently under repair, as it was taken over by the hackers, and it is recommended that customers avoid the website or its public WiFi where possible.