Bengaluru Firms Fall Victim to Ransomware Attack, Face $80,000 Demand from Cybercriminals
Image Source: Kaspersky
In the tech hub of Bengaluru, private firms found themselves in the crosshairs of cybercriminals as they became the latest victims of a ransomware attack. BSR Infratech India Ltd., a construction services firm located in Yelahanka, was targeted last month, with hackers demanding a hefty ransom of $80,000 (approximately Rs 66.70 lakh) to decrypt their encrypted data. The incident, which occurred on February 27, only came to light on March 28 after the firms filed police complaints.
Ransomware attacks have emerged as a global menace, proving to be lucrative endeavors for cybercriminals. In such attacks, hackers encrypt an organization’s data and demand payment for their release. Failure to comply often results in the threatened sale of compromised data on the dark web.
According to J. Ajay Krishna, an employee of BSR Infratech and the complainant in the case, the hackers gained unauthorized access to crucial information, including details of employees, clients, customers, and business operations. Subsequently, the hackers left a message directing the firms to contact specific email addresses for the decryption key, with a warning of data sale if their demands were not met.
While the hack severely disrupted operations, a source within the firm confirmed the incident but refrained from further comment, citing restrictions on speaking to the media.
Upon receiving the complaints, the Northeast Cyber Economic and Narcotics (CEN) Crime Police registered cases under Section 66 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, which deals with computer-related offenses. Senior police officers were reassured that the claims were being thoroughly investigated, with measures taken to preserve the integrity of the compromised data.
“The servers are currently inaccessible for data copying,” stated a senior police officer involved in the investigation. However, the companies have expressed confidence that the majority of their data remains intact.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by cybercriminals and underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for businesses operating in an increasingly digitized world. As authorities continue their investigation, the affected firms, along with others, remain vigilant against the ever-evolving tactics employed by malicious actors in the digital realm.
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