The 'offensive cyber' used by UK National Cyber Force to confuse Islamic State militants and prevent drone attacks

The UK has revealed new details about a secret cyber operation against Islamic State that targeted the group’s ability to fly drones, meddled with their phones and hit their propaganda.

The mission – told to Sky News by the head of GCHQ and a top general in their first joint interview – gives a sense of the kind of hacks and other covert attacks Britain is able to conduct against countries, criminals and terrorists in the grey zone of cyberspace.

Speaking about the challenge, General Sir Patrick Sanders, commander of Strategic Command, warned that the UK’s enemies are using social media to sow division, spread conspiracy theories and tear “the fabric of society apart”.