WASHINGTON, June 27 (Reuters) - Tech companies Google

and Palo Alto Networks ( PANW ) are sounding the alarm over the

"Scattered Spider" hacking group's interest in the aviation

sector.

In a statement posted on LinkedIn on Friday, Sam Rubin, an

executive at Palo Alto's cybersecurity-focused Unit 42,

said his company had "observed Muddled Libra (also known as

Scattered Spider) targeting the aviation industry."

In a similar statement, Charles Carmakal, an executive with

Alphabet-owned Google's cybersecurity-focused Mandiant

unit, said his company was "aware of multiple incidents in the

airline and transportation sector which resemble the operations

of UNC3944 or Scattered Spider."

Neither executive identified which specific companies had

been targeted, but Alaska Air Group-owned Hawaiian Airlines and

Canada's WestJet have both recently reported being struck by

unspecified cyber incidents.

Neither company has gone into detail about the intrusions or

commented on any potential links between the incidents and

Scattered Spider.

The loose-knit but aggressive hacking group, alleged to at

least in part comprise youngsters operating in Western

countries, has been blamed for some of the most disruptive hacks

to hit the United States and Europe in recent memory.

In 2023, hackers tied to the group broke into gaming

companies MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment, partially

paralyzing casinos and knocking slot machines out of commission.

Earlier this year, the group wreaked havoc at British

retailers. More recent targets include the U.S. insurance

industry.