Western Digital, one of the world’s leading storage producers, has been hit by a cyber attack. Approximately 10 terabytes of data, including customer information, have been accessed by hackers. The perpetrators are demanding a ransom of at least $10 million to prevent the data from being exposed.
A hacker group member has revealed to TechCrunch how they gained access to the data. The intruders were able to impersonate Western Digital by forging the company’s digital signatures. The exact method of entry into the network is yet to be determined.
Unlike a ransomware attack, the hackers have only copied the data. The ransom is not to regain access to the data, but to prevent it from being published. In exchange for the ransom, the hackers have also offered to provide Western Digital with information on how to prevent similar attacks in the future.
The hackers have made it clear that they are expecting a quick resolution to the situation. “Let’s put our ego aside and work towards a solution to this chaotic situation,” said the group member. The hackers have stated that Western Digital was not targeted for any specific reason, and that their targets are chosen at random.
Last year, it was reported that companies often choose to pay the ransom in order to prevent data from being exposed. There have been numerous hacking incidents in recent years, such as the attack on Samsung which resulted in customer data being stolen.
