RNLI warned of cyber attack after volunteers abused for saving migrants by far-right thugs

RNLI warned of cyber attack after volunteers abused for saving migrants by far-right thugs Online security experts have warned that the identities of RNLI members could have been leaked or fallen into the wrong hands RNLI members have been warned they may have been hit with a cyberattack amid a heightened threat from far-Right agitators. Volunteers for the organisation were told their data may have been stolen by hackers - just days after they suffered online and physical abuse for rescuing 120 migrants from a dinghy in the English Channel. Online security experts have warned that the identities of RNLI members could have been leaked or fallen into the wrong hands after a cyber-attack on a third-party software provider. In a letter accompanying the autumn copy of its Lifeboat magazine, the charity warned supporters that their "name, contact details and records of interactions with the RNLI" could have been breached in the raid on Beacon CRM. The RNLI said it was advised last month by the provider to "assume that data held within its systems was taken" in a cyber-attack that affected around 1,500 charities in late July. "At this stage we're not aware of any misuse of your personal information and have no evidence that your information has been published or shared," the charity added. The RNLI has suspended its services in Portsmouth since its staff were subjected to relentless abuse and branded "traitors" by anti-migrant protesters. Peter Sparkes, the charity's chief executive, condemned abuse of its volunteers as "wholly unacceptable in civilised society", adding that the RNLI worked to save lives at sea irrespective of whose they are. The latest data breach has fuelled concerns that lifeboat volunteers will face "doxxing", which involves the publication online of a person's home address. Dr William Allchorn, a senior research fellow at Anglia Ruskin University's International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute, said that those on the far-Right could exploit the data breach. He told the Sunday Telegraph: "They use open source maritime tracking and endto-end encryption, but beyond that I don't know how sophisticated their set up is." "It is the chill effect," he added. "For those on the fringes of the movement this information could be quite key." Andy Burnham hit out at "appalling" abuse directed at hero crews after they were labelled as traitors online by far-right thugs for rescuing asylum seekers in the Channel and bringing a dinghy to safety in Portsmouth, Hants. Hundreds of protesters blocked roads overnight on September 6 and vowed to stop migrants from leaving the port. The boat, reported to be carrying about 140 migrants, is thought to have made one of the longest journeys of any small boat and landings as far west as Hampshire are rare. The Mirror later revealed two RNLI heroes were named and pictured online by Portsmouth protestors who condemned them as "collaborators" and "traitors" for rescuing asylum seekers. The RNLI issued security advice warning volunteers and staff not to wear the charity’s branding because of “unacceptable abuse”. A spokesman for the RNLI said: "Beacon CRM works with many charities and organisations across the UK and Ireland, and while they cannot confirm exactly which records were accessed or downloaded, it advised all affected organisations, including the RNLI, to assume that data held within its systems was taken. "At this stage, there is no evidence that information relating to RNLI supporters has been published, shared online or otherwise misused."