We wanted to update you regarding the recent cyber-security incident affecting two Dudley & South Staffordshire CAMRA branch email accounts...

After identifying unusual activity, we immediately escalated the matter to CAMRA's Hosting Support Team and worked with them to investigate the issue.

Analysis of the server logs indicates that the mail accounts were compromised through a brute-force attack, where repeated password attempts were made until access was gained. The attacker then used addresses within the accounts to send spam.

We appreciate that incidents of this nature can be concerning. The accounts were protected by strong, non-trivial passwords but were nevertheless compromised through persistence.

Whilst no security measure can provide an absolute guarantee against determined attackers, we do take the security of our systems and data seriously.

As soon as the issue was identified, action was taken to secure the affected accounts. Passwords were changed and the accounts secured. We also updated our social media pages to warn of the hoax.

We have also reviewed the way these mailboxes operate, in line with advice provided by the Hosting Support Team, to reduce the risk of a similar incident occurring in future.

We sincerely apologise for the concern this incident may have caused. If you received an unexpected or suspicious email appearing to come from Dudley CAMRA recently, please delete and do not engage with it.

You'll see that the reply-to address domains are the giveaway, using Gmail or Outlook addresses rather than dudley.camra.org.uk.

As obtained from a webmail service which we have used for branch communications, we believe personal details, other than email addresses, have not been impacted.

We are again sorry for this. Our team of volunteers support the branch with the best of intentions at heart, and we share your frustration and upset.

Finally, a word of thanks to the CAMRA Hosting Support Team for their assistance in investigating the incident and helping to secure the affected accounts.

With thanks from us, the committee of the Dudley & South Staffordshire CAMRA branch.