Taiwanese computer builder Compal Electronics (which collaborate with Macbook) has reportedly been hacked by a ransomware attack this week. Compal is a company that partners with Apple to build MacBooks.
The people behind the attacks are famous to be demanding 1,100 Bitcoins or $17 million worth at the moment.
Launching Bleeping Computer, the ransomware attack is called ‘DoppelPaymer’. The attack targets access to admin credentials and uses them to spread across Windows networks.
Once they gain access to Windows domain controllers, they deploy the ransomware payload to all devices on the network.
Compal claims that there is only an error in the automation system.
After the incident, Compal denies that hackers blackmailed them. They claim the attack is just an abnormality in their office automation system.
Windows Central reported, Compal deputy director director Qingxiong Lu clarified that the attack affected Compal’s internal network, but did not affect any laptops made by the company.
Compal is the second largest laptop original design (ODM) manufacturer in the world. Apart from Apple, the companies partnering with Compal are HP, Dell, Lenovo, and Acer.
According to records, hackers likely stole unencrypted data as part of their attack.
The hacker used the data as a double extortion strategy. Then, ransomware groups threatened releasing files on a data leak site if they did not pay ransom soon.
The initial ransom demand is the ‘initial’ price and the hacker negotiate at a much lower amount for victims who decide to pay the ransom.
Besides hacked Macbook, DoppelPaymer also attacked the other victims . Such as PEMEX (Petróleos Mexicanos), the City of Torrance in California, Newcastle University, Hall County in Georgia, and Bretagne Télécom.
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