Police called after hackers crack UK PC dealer

Hackers have broken into the systems of UK PC dealer Jal Computers and sent malicious emails to the firm's customers.

The Stoke-on-Trent company was alerted to the security breach after customers complained of "rude and nasty" emails, which had apparently originated from the company's servers.

Craig Everal, managing director of Jal Computers, told vnunet.com that only the firm's email server had been compromised, and that no customer credit card details, which are stored on a separate system, are at risk.

"We have been the victim of hackers who got in through our email servers. They have only got into email systems, not our secure servers. They sent out malicious emails some of which were rude and nasty," Everal explained.

He added that some of the malicious emails described the firm as having gone into receivership, which is "absolutely untrue".

"We apologise for the emails. Police are investigating," said Everal, adding that the company has now changed its security settings to address the problem.

Everal suggested that customers currently waiting for PCs from the firm should make contact to check that their orders have been received as the hackers deleted some customer emails, including pending orders.