Breaking: Ransomware hack attack of ‘unprecedented’ size slams into businesses around the world

Image: ritchie B. TONGO/EPA/REX/Shutterstock

By Colin Daileda2017-06-27 15:41:14 UTC

It’s a new kind of terrorism, and it’s something we’re going to have to get used to seeing: Organizations in Ukraine, Russia, Denmark, the United Kingdom and more nations appear to be facing what appears to be another major ransomware cyber attack. 

Though the perpetrator—and even the type of attack—aren’t entirely clear yet, photos of infected computer screens around the world are showing ransom notes demanding bitcoin, meaning the infection’s a type of ransomware that locks down a computer, until its operator pays a ransom to the hackers. 

Right now, Ukraine appears to be taking the brunt of the attack. The National Bank of Ukraine is reportedly unable to perform the basic functions of a bank right now due to a type of “virus,” and the international airport in the nation’s capital, Kiev, is bogged down in an attack as well. Attackers also went after Ukraine’s power supply, according to The New York Times, but have so far been unsuccessful. 

According to the Kyiv Post, Anton Gerashchenko, an advisor to the interior minister of Ukraine, has blamed the Russian government for the attack. The Russian government has established its reputation as a cyber-power, and has attacked Ukraine’s energy grid before, shutting off power to a portion of Ukraine in 2015.

That said? Russian oil company Rosneft also reported a cyber attack on Tuesay. The company’s in the process of suing another Russian business after that business bought an oil producing company.

A British advertising firm, as well as a Danish transportation and energy company have also reportedly been affected. 

This is a developing story, and we’ll update with more information when we have it. 

[Know anything about this attack? We’re listening.]