July 2025 Newsletter
Posted By: Mark Monday 18th August 2025 Tags: AI, Artificial Intelligence, cyber attacks, cyber crime, Cyber Security, Data Breach, Data Leak, Data Privacy, Data Protection, Newsletter, ransomware, technologyThis month: KNP ransomware attack cripples transport giant, UK’s Online Safety Act takes effect, the Velvet Sundown AI music controversy, AI models appear in Vogue advert, plus the latest LaneSystems news.
Ransomware Attack Ends KNP
One Weak Password Brings Down 158-Year-Old Transport Giant
In a sobering reminder of the growing threat posed by cybercrime, KNP Logistics, a Northamptonshire-based transport company with a legacy spanning more than 150 years, was forced to shut down after falling victim to a devastating ransomware attack. The breach, which occurred back in 2023, was traced back to a single weak employee password that allowed hackers from the Akira ransomware group to infiltrate the company’s systems.
KNP, formerly known as Knights of Old, operated a fleet of 500 lorries and employed around 700 people. Despite having cybersecurity insurance and systems that met industry standards, the company was unable to recover from the attack. Once inside, the hackers encrypted critical data and locked staff out of essential systems. A chilling ransom note read: “If you’re reading this it means the internal infrastructure of your company is fully or partially dead… Let’s keep all the tears and resentment to ourselves and try to build a constructive dialogue”.
Unable to meet the estimated £5 million ransom demand, KNP lost access to its operational data and was forced to cease trading. The incident underscores the brutal efficiency of modern ransomware tactics and the catastrophic consequences of even minor lapses in cybersecurity.
The Rising Tide of Ransomware
Ransomware attacks have surged globally, with UK businesses facing an estimated 19,000 such incidents last year alone. These attacks often begin with simple vulnerabilities—like weak passwords or unpatched software—and escalate into full-blown crises that cripple operations, compromise sensitive data, and demand exorbitant payments.
The Akira group, responsible for the KNP breach, is part of a growing wave of ransomware gangs that use increasingly sophisticated methods to exploit companies. Some rely on brute-force password guessing, while others use phishing or exploit known software vulnerabilities.
Why IT Audits and Cyber Hygiene Matter
KNP’s collapse is a stark reminder of why regular IT audits and robust cybersecurity protocols are essential. Audits help identify vulnerabilities, enforce password policies, and ensure systems are patched and protected against known threats. They also support compliance with regulations and provide a roadmap for incident response and recovery.
General recommendations include implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), conducting regular penetration testing, and educating staff on cybersecurity best practices. A single weak password should never be the gateway to a company’s downfall.
Whether you’re a multinational corporation or a local enterprise, the integrity of your IT systems can determine your survival. If you’re a business in the North-East of England in need of an IT audit or help with cyber security services, contact us today. Act before it’s too late.
LaneSystems News
Charity News
This month we donated £482 (inc labour) to Northern Cross, a not-for-profit independent newspaper for the Christian community in the North East of England, to help with replacing a broken laptop.
Windows 10 End of Support Reminder
We’re going to keep leaving a gentle reminder here that Microsoft will no longer officially support Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, bug fixes, or technical assistance for Windows 10. Read more about why it’s essential to keep systems up to date in the article below.
We have been contacting all of our clients during the past year to make them aware, so that we can plan a smooth transition to Windows 11 where necessary. If you’re a business in the North East of England who needs help with the update, contact us today for assistance.
UK Online Safety Act Takes Effect
On 25th July 2025, the UK’s Online Safety Act entered a major enforcement phase. Overseen by Ofcom, the Act mandates that online platforms—especially those likely to be accessed by children—implement robust age verification and content moderation systems to reduce exposure to harmful material.
How the Online Safety Act Impacts UK Residents
Age Verification Requirements
Adults must now verify their age using methods like photo ID, credit card checks, or facial recognition to access age-restricted content on platforms.
Privacy Concerns
Many users are uneasy about sharing sensitive personal data with third-party verification services. This has led to fears of data breaches, loss of anonymity, and increased surveillance.
Censorship & Free Speech
Some users report being blocked from viewing political or protest-related content due to vague definitions of “harmful material,” raising concerns about freedom of expression.
How the Online Safety Act Impacts Businesses Supplying Online Content
Compliance Duties
Platforms must conduct risk assessments, implement age assurance systems, and publish transparency reports. Non-compliance can result in fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover.
Operational Burden
Smaller businesses and hobby forums face disproportionate costs. Some have shut down or removed features like messaging to avoid penalties.
Technical Challenges
Companies must integrate safety-by-design features, adjust algorithms to filter harmful content, and ensure systems are scalable and privacy-compliant.
VPN Usage Surge
Since the Act’s enforcement, Virtual Private Network apps have dominated UK app store charts, with Proton VPN reporting a 1,400% spike in sign-ups. VPNs allow users to bypass UK-based restrictions by masking their location, avoiding age checks and preserving anonymity.
VPN’s are a legitimate layer of security, with trusted options used by many organisations as part of their protocols for keeping transmitted data safe. But experts warn that those rushing to use VPNs should act with caution. Many free VPNs may sell user data, contain malware, or lack proper encryption, posing cybersecurity risks.
The Online Safety Act marks a major shift in UK internet regulation. While its goal of protecting children is widely supported, its implementation has sparked backlash, especially around privacy, freedom of speech, and digital autonomy. The rise in VPN usage reflects a growing tension between safety enforcement and user resistance.
The Velvet Sundown AI Music Controversy
AI, Streaming, and the Future of Music
In the summer of 2025, a mysterious band called The Velvet Sundown emerged on Spotify, captivating listeners with a retro psych-rock sound reminiscent of the 1970s. Within weeks,the group has amassed over a million monthly listeners and released three full-length albums. Their rapid rise, lack of live performances, and oddly airbrushed promotional images sparked widespread speculation: was this band even real?
A Band with No Origin
The intrigue began in late June when Reddit users noticed The Velvet Sundown appearing in algorithmic playlists like Discover Weekly, despite having no verifiable online presence. Their Spotify bio listed four members—Gabe Farrow, Lennie West, Milo Rains, and Orion “Rio” Del Mar—but none had social media accounts or interviews. The band’s Instagram, launched shortly after, featured images that bore all the hallmarks of AI generation: distorted fingers, surreal lighting, and uncanny facial symmetry.
By early July, the controversy intensified. A person using the pseudonym Andrew Frelon posed as the band’s spokesperson, claiming in interviews with outlets such as Rolling Stone that the music was created using the AI tool, Suno. Days later, Frelon admitted the entire persona was a hoax. He had no connection to the band and had fabricated the story to expose flaws in media verification processes.
Later in July, The Velvet Sundown updated their Spotify bio, confirming they were “a synthetic music project guided by human creative direction, and composed, voiced, and visualised with the support of artificial intelligence”.
AI Music ‘Band’ Generates Mixed Reactions
The revelation triggered a wave of commentary from artists, critics, and streaming platforms. A music critic called the band’s output “generic” and “forgettable,” arguing that AI “is not yet at the point where it can reproduce the soul and indefinable humanity behind worthwhile songs”. Meanwhile, indie artist Zola Jesus told Marketplace that sharing a platform with AI bands “feels a little condescending… it kind of degrades the context of what I devoted my entire life for”.
Streaming services responded with mixed signals. Deezer flagged The Velvet Sundown’s music as “100% AI-generated” and pledged to exclude such tracks from algorithmic recommendations. YouTube responded by tightening its monetisation policies around synthetic media, particularly AI-generated music and visuals. Spotify, however, maintained that it “does not prioritise or benefit financially from music created using AI tools,” though it has yet to implement labeling or restrictions.
The Ethics of AI Music
The controversy has reignited debates about transparency, copyright, and the ethics of AI in music. As George Howard, professor at Berklee College of Music, warned:
“There can and will be certain outcomes that are net positive for artists via this new technology, but make no mistake, what we are confronting with respect to AI and soon AGI [artificial general intelligence, where machine thought is equal to or surpasses human capabilities] is a far different challenge than any other historical technological innovation and one that likely will, unlike others that were ultimately neutral to positive sum for participants, be zero sum.”
Whether The Velvet Sundown was a clever art project or a cautionary seed for music’s future, its impact is undeniable. It exposed vulnerabilities in streaming platforms, challenged notions of authorship, and forced the industry to reckon with a future where machines can mimic, and potentially replace, human creativity.
Modelling the Future
How AI Could Reshape The Fashion Industry
In the August 2025 issue of Vogue, Guess unveiled a two-page advert featuring an AI-generated model created by the London-based agency Seraphinne Vallora. The campaign showcases hyper-realistic imagery of a blonde woman modelling the brand’s summer collection. While the model appears lifelike, a small disclaimer in the corner reveals she was entirely generated by AI.
Lazy and Cheap?
The advert has sparked intense debate. Critics argue it perpetuates unattainable beauty standards and threatens the livelihoods of real models and creative professionals. Plus-size model Felicity Hayward called the move “lazy and cheap”, warning it could disproportionately affect diverse representation in fashion. While former model and tech entrepreneur Sinead Bovell expressed concern over the psychological impact on young audiences, especially when AI-generated faces are indistinguishable from reality.
Many readers and social media users voiced outrage, with some cancelling subscriptions and accusing Vogue of undermining authenticity.
Or, cost-effective and innovative?
On the flip side, proponents see AI as a cost-effective and innovative tool. Seraphinne Vallora claims their process—though complex and expensive—eliminates the need for traditional logistics like studios, travel, and make-up artists. They argue AI creates jobs by involving human creatives in reference shoots and design workflows. Some supporters on social media hailed the campaign as “the future”, praising its efficiency and creative potential.
The broader impact on fashion jobs is significant. Critics fear AI could displace not just models but entire teams—photographers, stylists, set designers, and assistants—who contribute to traditional shoots. Others worry it may reverse progress in diversity and inclusivity, as AI models often reflect Eurocentric beauty ideals and lack representation of varied body types.
The Guess advert marks another turning point in a frequently controversial industry. It challenges the industry to balance innovation with ethical responsibility, raising further questions about authenticity, representation, and the future of human creativity in fashion. AI will affect everybody and people will need to adapt.
Need Cyber Security?
If you’re a business in the North East of England and looking for professional and reliable cyber security services, IT consultation, and general IT services to keep your company cyber secure, get in touch. Cybersecurity is a continuous process, and staying proactive is key to safeguarding digital assets.
