Security News NASCAR team falls victim to ransomware, pays ransom

[frogboy]

Most US businesses would perhaps not pay in the event of a ransomware attack, but Circle-Sport Leavine Family Racing (CSLFR), a professional NASCAR car racing team, is not one of these.

The team fell victim to ransomware in April this year, paid to get the decryption key, and successfully decrypted its encrypted files.

“Three company computers, all of which held Winston’s data, were recently infected by TeslaCrypt ransomware and the perpetrators demanded that the CSLFR team pay a ransom within 48 hours or their data would be gone forever,” AV outfit Malwarebytes explained.

“The data contained anything and everything that the CSLFR team had to ensure that their racing vehicles perform at their highest level, including set ups worth over $1.5 million, car part lists, and custom high-profile simulation packages valued at $2 million. To recreate this data, it would have taken the team nearly 1,500 man-hours.”

Dave Winston, the crew’s chief, said that aside from being crucial to the team’s future success, the encrypted files and data they held were the result of years worth of work and millions of dollars invested. It’s no wonder they opted for paying up.

Full Article. NASCAR team falls victim to ransomware, pays ransom - Help Net Security

 

[hjlbx]

Data worth at least $3.5 million US -- and no back-up(s)...

 

[Tony Cole]

It's hard to believe that such a company (as hjlbx stated) have no backups of such extremely important data??? Amazes me, if we mere mortals do it, then why don't they?

 

[frogboy]

Data worth at least $3.5 million US -- and no back-up(s)...

Not so clever is it.

 

[DardiM]

Every society connected the the web should learn the bases of security ...

 

[Noxx]

I bet the ransomware author would be kicking himself if/when he finds out it was a NASCAR team worth millions of dollars. Might of wanted to add a few zeros on the end of that ransom fee.

 

[SHvFl]

At least it was not a targeted attack asking millions. They got it easy.

 

[jamescv7]

After decrypting the files, the team realized that their protections were lacking, and that they needed help in cleaning up all the computers. So they called in Malwarebytes, which ultimately became a sponsor of the team, and their logo is blazoned across the team’s cars.

Honestly it is a big insult, since from the first place they can seek Malwarebytes (endorser) for immediate help before doing such 'no choice' option.

Backup must be teach and distribute the important concept to anyone no matter what circumstances.

 

[DJ Panda]

Backups are highly inportant. The pain they went through wouldn't have had to happen. Go MBAM one of the best products out there!