Cyber attack hits 20 UK railway stations

Twenty railway stations have been affected by a cyber attack

ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Passengers wait on the concourse at Piccadilly station in Manchester — Twenty railway stations have been affected by a cyber attack

Cyber attackers have caused disruption at 20 UK railway stations.

Network Rail confirmed that the wi-fi systems at stations including London Euston, Manchester Piccadilly, Liverpool Lime Street and Birmingham New Street were affected.

People reported logging on to the wi-fi at the stations and being met with a screen about terror attacks in Europe on Wednesday.

A Network Rail spokesperson confirmed the wi-fi was still down and said: “We are currently dealing with a cyber security incident affecting the public wi-fi at Network Rail’s managed stations.”

British Transport Police was investigating, she added.

The rail provider said it believed other organisations, not just rail stations, had also been impacted.

“This service is provided via a third party and has been suspended while an investigation is under way,” the spokesperson said.

Telent, the third party which provides the wi-fi for Network Rail, confirmed it was aware of the “security incident” and was “investigating with Network Rail and other stakeholders”.

A spokesperson said: “We have been informed there is an ongoing investigation by the British Transport Police into this incident, so it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.”