At the end of April 2021, a well-known gang of ransomware hackers, REvil, claimed to have stolen data from the Taiwanese manufacturer Quanta Computer, including drawings of Apple products.
WHAT ARE RANSOMWARE PROGRAMS?
Ransomware is a type of malware used by cybercriminals. If a computer or network is infected with a ransomware program, access to the system or data encryption is blocked. Cybercriminals demand a ransom from their victims in exchange for providing access to data. To protect yourself from infection by ransomware, it is recommended to remain vigilant and use security programs. Victims of ransomware have three options for action after infection: you can pay a ransom, try to remove the malware or restart the device. The attack vectors used by ransomware Trojans mainly include the remote desktop protocol, phishing email messages and software vulnerabilities. Thus, a ransomware attack can be targeted at both individuals and companies.
REvil, also known as Sodinokibi, reported on its darknet forum that Quanta refused to pay for the return of stolen data. Now the actions of the ransomware are aimed at the main client of the company – Apple. As proof of the hack, REvil published screenshots of the MacBook circuit and threatened to publish new data every day until Apple or Quanta paid the ransom. It is assumed that the amount demanded by the group is $50 million. However, the cost of IT support in Los Angeles is much cheaper.
Keep reading: IT support in Los Angeles is Fundamental to Successful Manufacturing
It is possible that Apple is not the only Quanta customer whose data has been stolen. REvil in its letter also listed other customers who use Quanta, including Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Alienware, Amazon, Cisco Systems, Fujitsu, Gericom, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Maxdata, Microsoft, MPC, Blackberry, Sharp, Siemens, Sony, Sun Microsystems, Toshiba, Verizon Wireless and Vizio.
IT support companies in Los Angeles often provide built-in protection against ransomware attacks, creating system backups in the form of read-only snapshots from which you can restore your data.
“Our team is negotiating the sale of a large number of confidential drawings and personal data with several major brands,” the hackers wrote. – We recommend Apple to redeem the available data before May 1″
Neither Apple nor Quanta have commented on this statement.
Previous REvil cyberattacks have targeted the well-known law firm Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks and the foreign exchange provider Travelex. The attack on Travelex is notable for the fact that the company paid a ransom of $2.3 million for a decryption key to restore its network. REvil has also auctioned stolen data in the past.
SERVICES FOR THE PROVISION OF RANSOMWARE
Ransomware services allow cybercriminals with low technical capabilities to carry out attacks using these programs. Malware is provided to buyers, which reduces the risk and increases the benefit for developers.
Ransomware attacks have various manifestations and scales. The attack vector is an important factor depending on the type of ransomware used. To assess the severity and scale of the attack, it is necessary to take into account the potential damage, that is, what data can be deleted or published. Regardless of the type of ransomware, pre-backup of data and the use of security programs can significantly reduce the consequences of an attack.
Protect your organization’s data and reputation. Find out how IT support in Los Angeles can speed up your recovery and help you survive the attack.