REvil ransomware has targeted Apple Inc. in a $50 million ransomware attack. The attack happened just hours before Apple’s Spring Loaded event, its first hardware announcement event of the year. The notorious ransomware gang REvil said they had stolen data and schematics from Apple supplier Quanta Computer about unreleased products and that they would sell the data to the highest bidder if they didn’t get a $50 million payment. As proof, they released a cache of documents about upcoming, unreleased MacBook Pros. They’ve since added iMac schematics to the pile.
Over the last month, REvil ransomware has been on a hacking rampage with staggering numbers – $25 million Pierre Fabre, $50 million Acer, $24 million AsteelFlash, and now Apple, the list goes on. Gangs like REvil ransomware target higher paying targets and demand a hefty sum and later negotiate the ransom payoffs. Experts believe this to be the future of Ransomware attacks as these groups double down on extortion efforts by also stealing business data and threatening to release it.
Protecting Yourself Against Ransomware Attacks
- Backup Everything, Every day
- Screen Your Emails and Don’t Click on Suspicious Links or Ads
- Install an Antivirus Firewall
- Invest in Security Awareness Training
- Consider a Network Protection Service like Perch, watch this short video to learn more
- Regularly Patch/Update Your Applications
- Develop a Disaster Recovery Plan