Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on June 28, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleTech giants warn of Scattered Spider hacks on aviation, with Google and Palo Alto Networks highlighting recent cyber threats in the sector.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Tech companies Google and Palo Alto Networks are sounding the alarm over the "Scattered Spider" hacking group's interest in the aviation sector.
In a statement posted on LinkedIn on Friday, Sam Rubin, an executive at Palo Alto's cybersecurity-focused Unit 42, said his company had "observed Muddled Libra (also known as Scattered Spider) targeting the aviation industry."
In a similar statement, Charles Carmakal, an executive with Alphabet-owned Google's cybersecurity-focused Mandiant unit, said his company was "aware of multiple incidents in the airline and transportation sector which resemble the operations of UNC3944 or Scattered Spider."
Neither executive identified which specific companies had been targeted, but Alaska Air Group-owned Hawaiian Airlines and Canada's WestJet have both recently reported being struck by unspecified cyber incidents.
Neither company has gone into detail about the intrusions or commented on any potential links between the incidents and Scattered Spider.
The loose-knit but aggressive hacking group, alleged to at least in part comprise youngsters operating in Western countries, has been blamed for some of the most disruptive hacks to hit the United States and Europe in recent memory.
In 2023, hackers tied to the group broke into gaming companies MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment, partially paralyzing casinos and knocking slot machines out of commission.
Earlier this year, the group wreaked havoc at British retailers. More recent targets include the U.S. insurance industry.
(Reporting by Raphael Satter, Editing by Franklin Paul and Sam Holmes)
Tech companies Google and Palo Alto Networks are warning about the 'Scattered Spider' hacking group's targeting of the aviation sector.
Alaska Air Group-owned Hawaiian Airlines and Canada's WestJet have both recently reported being struck by unspecified cyber incidents.
The Scattered Spider group has been blamed for some of the most disruptive hacks, including incidents at MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment, which partially paralyzed casinos.
Executives from both companies acknowledged multiple incidents in the airline and transportation sectors, emphasizing the need for heightened cybersecurity awareness.
Earlier this year, the group also targeted British retailers and more recently, the U.S. insurance industry.
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