Technology Giant Olympus Hit by BlackMatter Ransomware

Olympus said in a brief statement that it is "currently investigating a potential cybersecurity incident" affecting its European, Middle East and Africa computer network. From a report: "Upon detection of suspicious activity, we immediately mobilized a specialized response team including forensics experts, and we are currently working with the highest priority to resolve this issue. As part of the investigation, we have suspended data transfers in the affected systems and have informed the relevant external partners," the statement said. But according to a person with knowledge of the incident, Olympus is recovering from a ransomware attack that began in the early morning of September 8. The person shared details of the incident prior to Olympus acknowledging the incident on Saturday. A ransom note left behind on infected computers claimed to be from the BlackMatter ransomware group.

"Your network is encrypted, and not currently operational," it reads. "If you pay, we will provide you the programs for decryption." The ransom note also included a web address to a site accessible only through the Tor Browser that's known to be used by BlackMatter to communicate with its victims. Brett Callow, a ransomware expert and threat analyst at Emsisoft, told TechCrunch that the site in the ransom note is associated with the BlackMatter group.

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[Tablizer]

BlackMatter Lives.

FTFY

Olympus was their second target

[fahrbot-bot]

The EAS [wikipedia.org] was the first target, but they haven't been able to find BlackMatter anywhere on their systems...

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

Meanwhile, an official from Olympus made a statement that they were taking this “very seriously” and are beginning cleanup procedures, codenamed Project Douche. They were also taking steps to erect barriers at entry points of their network in an effort to prevent further, possibly deeper and more forceful penetration. The spokesperson said this would hopefully help to contain any further emanations from the Small Dong and Flaccid Chode.

Olympus? Giant?

[Thelasko]

Next you're going to tell me about a hack at mega-corporation Eastman Kodak.

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[jythie]

eh, there is more to the world than consumer products.

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[tlhIngan]

Olympus is huge in the imaging field, especially medical imaging. They are much bigger than you think - consumer electronics is basically a rounding error.

They are the leader is many forms of medical imaging, and other industrial imaging equipment as well.

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[dankocitythainguyen]

yess

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[flyingfsck]

Kodak was a one trick pony, very much invested in a single technology that could not be adapted to the new trend and thousands upon thousands of small franchise picture printing studios became obsolete. It sold off its generally useful parts such as Eastman Chemicals to stave off complete bankruptsy. What is left of Kodak now is tiny and is mostly making TVs in India it seems, but it still exists.