Tech Talk

Ransonware attack hits GARMIN

Posted 8/6/20

Do you have a Garmin smartwatch or use the Garmin Fitness app? If your Garmin equipment malfunctioned lately, you aren’t alone.

On July 23, navigation and fitness giant Garmin was hit by a …

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Tech Talk

Ransonware attack hits GARMIN

Posted

Do you have a Garmin smartwatch or use the Garmin Fitness app? If your Garmin equipment malfunctioned lately, you aren’t alone.
On July 23, navigation and fitness giant Garmin was hit by a ransomware attack. The attack resulted in a several-day service outage.
I first wrote about security threats posed by fitness jewelry and the dangers of the devices to consumers in December 2018.
Crooks targeting companies that make the technology is even more dangerous.
Ransomware is malware that allows hackers to lock up a computer, server or network. They demand a ransom to unlock the system they’ve shut down.
According to Garmin’s official statement, a cyberattack encrypted some of their systems. The attack interrupted many of their services. Their website, customer support, customer applications and company communications were all affected. 
Garmin says they don’t believe customer data, including payment info, was accessed, lost or stolen. Garmin hasn’t said whether they paid the ransom.
The scary thing is Garmin’s aviation and marine navigation services were down. Garmin Pilot app and flyGarmin experienced multi-day outages. This prevented pilots from filing flight plans and blocked many from updating database navigation systems. The Federal Aviation Administration requires this to fly.
The hacker gang allegedly responsible is called “EvilCorp.” The ransomware they used is “WastedLocker.” 
Business tech news outlet ZDNet spoke with 3 cybersecurity firms about the attack. Good news: Garmin may be right about personal data being safe. EvilCorp doesn’t have a history of stealing customer data before they lock up computers. Most ransomware hacker groups steal data before they encrypt a system. They extort individual customers and the company they hacked.
Next week: How to protect yourself

computers, ransomeware, Garmin, hackers

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