A police investigation has been launched after MPs were apparently targeted in a “spear-phishing” attack, in what security experts believe could be an attempt to compromise the UK Parliament.

The Australian government has experienced a significant increase in data breaches, with human error being the leading cause, highlighting the need for improved detection and response systems.

The leak included passports, player contracts, and personal data, potentially affecting every Australian football fan. Cybersecurity experts believe the breach was likely due to human error, and the FA is investigating the matter.

EasyPark Group, the owner of brands including RingGo and ParkMobile, said customer names, phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, and parts of credit card numbers had been taken but said parking data had not been compromised in the cyberattack.

St Vincent's, Australia's largest not-for-profit health and aged care provider, has confirmed that it has experienced a cyberattack and that hackers have stolen some of its data.

The breach was first detected in 2015, but it is still unclear if the malware has been fully eliminated. The compromised systems may have affected sensitive activities such as handling radioactive waste and monitoring for leaks or fires.

The Serbians had been targeted about a minute apart from each other on or about 16 August 2023. Researchers discovered traces of the attempted attack, which sought to take advantage of a possible vulnerability in iPhone’s HomeKit application.

In an email to customers on Wednesday, Pizza Hut Australia’s chief executive, Phil Reed, said the company became aware in early September that there had been “unauthorised third party” access to some of the company’s data.

Researchers have claimed that an individual employed by a Washington DC-based organization with international offices was targeted with the Pegasus spyware, raising new concerns about the proliferation of spyware that can infect Apple devices.

The Australian government is aware of the data breach as well as potential incidents affecting real estate firm Barry Plant and owners corporation management company Strata Plan, national cybersecurity coordinator Darren Goldie said in a statement.