'Russian hackers' target newspaper group which own titles in Bolton and Bury

A news organisation has been targeted by "Russian" hackers. Sites operated by Newsquest have been hit today causing some disruption.

Locally they include the Bolton News, Bury Times, and Lancashire Telegraph. A member of staff at the Bolton News said the group's IT experts were investigating the action. One "Russian" story has been removed from the Bolton site and it is continuing to post its own legitimate stories.

Titles right across the group were targeted including the Northwich Guardian, Southend Echo, Reading Chronicle, Worcester News, and Oxford Mail. On each of the titles' online news sites the announcement: "Pervoklassniy Hackers Attack" has appeared.

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It has not been established if the hackers are actually from Russia or if the cyber attack originates from elsewhere.

Newsquest Media Group Limited is the second-largest publisher of regional and local newspapers in the United Kingdom. It is owned by the American mass media holding company Gannett. It owns more than 250 local news brands and magazines.