[2016-11-29] Hacker holds San Francisco railway to ransom, demands 100 bitcoins

[newsatbravenewcoin]

The San Francisco Municipal Railway (MUNI) has fallen victim to a ransomware attack. The entire ticketing system was taken offline on Friday evening, and stayed down all day Saturday, with the message: "You Hacked, ALL Data Encrypted. Contact For Key(cryptom27@yandex.com)ID:681” appearing on MUNI agents’ computer screens.

With no way to collect fares over the weekend, ticket staff was sent home and the turnstiles were opened. Signs were taped to ticket machines all day Saturday indicating the rides would be free.

http://bravenewcoin.com/news/hacker-holds-san-francisco-subway-to-ransom-demands-100-bitcoins/

[1714235647]

1714235647

[1714235647]

1714235647

[1714235647]

1714235647

[1Referee]

I have seen this being aired yesterday where the problem was said to be solved. I however don't know, and can't find out whether or not there has been ransom paid to the hackers in order to get the systems to work again. I personally hope not as it will give these hackers only more incentive to continue their shady business.

If the SF railway has set up their systems in the way that there are backups being made several times a day (which is quite a normal thing), then they can simply restore everything and patch the security hole without abiding by the rules of the hackers. But then again, there is also 30GB data containing all kinds of sensitive information that is included in this "deal". That makes it a bit more difficult to make a judgement on whether or not they have really paid ransom.

[Dahhi]

If the system manages to get itself out of this mess, it had better upgrade or else there will be a repeat episode.
The hacker might just decide to keep his new goose that lays golden eggs.