Malware News The PGA Possibly Infected With the BitPaymer Ransomware

LASER_oneXM

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Feb 4, 2016
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If corporate America, government entities, and hospitals weren't enough, now ransomware developers are attacking Golf!
According to a report from GolfWeek, computers at the PGA have been infected with ransomware. The victims learned they were infected on Tuesday when ransom notes started appearing on their screen.

"Your network has been penetrated," the ransom note read according to Golfweek's article. "All files on each host in the network have been encrypted with a strong algorythm [sic]."

Based on these strings and the misspelling of "algorithm", the PGA was most likely infected with the BitPaymer ransomware. This is the same type of ransomware that recently hit the Alaskan town of Matanuska-Susitna and forced them to use typewriters for a week.

BitPaymer becoming more active?

As already stated, based on the reported ransom note, the PGA was most likely targeted by the BitPaymer Ransomware. BitPaymer has been around for a while, but typically keeps a low profile. There has been some moderate activity, though, with Bitpaymer over the last few weeks though as shown by the ID Ransomware chart below.
 
D

Deleted Member 3a5v73x

What Bleeping Computer should be telling us is, in addition to the organization being hit, WHAT WAS THE SECURITY PROTECTION THEY WERE USING THAT WAS BYPASSED????????

Otherwise this is a pointless article.
The organization’s IT team scrambled to address the issue but has not yet regained complete control of the files, nor identified the source of the hacking.
Source are uneducated employees sitting at PCs. :D How about someone plugged in unknown USB laying at golf clubs door? :D
 

upnorth

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Shadowy bandits have hijacked the PGA of America’s computer servers, locking officials out of crucial files related to this week’s PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club and the upcoming Ryder Cup in France. Staff realized Tuesday morning that their systems had been compromised when attempts to work on the files generated an ominous message: “Your network has been penetrated. All files on each host in the network have been encrypted with a strong algorythm.

The files contained creative materials for the PGA Championship at Bellerive and next month’s Ryder Cup in France. That includes extensive promotional banners and logos used in digital and print communications, and on digital signage around the grounds at Bellerive. The stolen files also include development work on logos for future PGA Championships.

Hackers target PGA servers, seek Bitcoin ransom

The site dont seams affected. The PGA of America | PGA.com
 

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