<p>Bengaluru: A private firm in Bengaluru became the target of a ransomware attack last month and was told to pay $80,000 (approx. Rs 66.70 lakh), failing which cybercriminals threatened to put the data on sale on the dark web.</p>.<p>Ransomware attacks are a global menace and have become profitable for cybercriminals. In a ransomware attack, hackers encrypt the organisation's data and leave messages on a computer for payments to be made. Once the money is paid, the data is decrypted.</p>.<p>In the Bengaluru case, the computers of BSR Infratech India Ltd, a firm located in Yelahanka offering construction services, were hacked on Feb 27, according to an employee. But the incident came to light on March 28 after a police complaint was filed on behalf of BSR Infratech. </p>.<p>An official said the complaint was delayed as the firm took time to verify the details before approaching the police. </p>.<p>J Ajay Krishna, a company employee and the complainant, said the hacker gained access to details of employees, clients, customers, business details and others. The data files were then encrypted, Krishna said. </p>.<p>Subsequently, the hackers directed the firm via a message on a .txt file to contact Lockhelp1998@skiff.com and retryit1998@tutamail.com for the decryption key by paying $80,000.</p>.<p>"If the demands were not met, they [hackers] threatened to sell the data on the black market,” the complainant claimed as per the FIR seen by DH. </p>.Doctor falls prey to online fraud in Karnataka, loses Rs 16.50 lakh.<p>A source in the firm confirmed that the hack took place but refused to comment further as they were not authorised to speak to the media. </p>.<p>Based on the complaint, the Northeast Cyber Economic and Narcotics (CEN) Crime police registered a case under Section 66 (computer-related offences) of the Information Technology (IT) Act. </p>.<p>A senior police officer told DH that the investigators were examining the claims. </p>.<p>"The servers are down for data copying for the time being,” the officer said. “But they [the company] are saying that most of their data was intact.” </p>
<p>Bengaluru: A private firm in Bengaluru became the target of a ransomware attack last month and was told to pay $80,000 (approx. Rs 66.70 lakh), failing which cybercriminals threatened to put the data on sale on the dark web.</p>.<p>Ransomware attacks are a global menace and have become profitable for cybercriminals. In a ransomware attack, hackers encrypt the organisation's data and leave messages on a computer for payments to be made. Once the money is paid, the data is decrypted.</p>.<p>In the Bengaluru case, the computers of BSR Infratech India Ltd, a firm located in Yelahanka offering construction services, were hacked on Feb 27, according to an employee. But the incident came to light on March 28 after a police complaint was filed on behalf of BSR Infratech. </p>.<p>An official said the complaint was delayed as the firm took time to verify the details before approaching the police. </p>.<p>J Ajay Krishna, a company employee and the complainant, said the hacker gained access to details of employees, clients, customers, business details and others. The data files were then encrypted, Krishna said. </p>.<p>Subsequently, the hackers directed the firm via a message on a .txt file to contact Lockhelp1998@skiff.com and retryit1998@tutamail.com for the decryption key by paying $80,000.</p>.<p>"If the demands were not met, they [hackers] threatened to sell the data on the black market,” the complainant claimed as per the FIR seen by DH. </p>.Doctor falls prey to online fraud in Karnataka, loses Rs 16.50 lakh.<p>A source in the firm confirmed that the hack took place but refused to comment further as they were not authorised to speak to the media. </p>.<p>Based on the complaint, the Northeast Cyber Economic and Narcotics (CEN) Crime police registered a case under Section 66 (computer-related offences) of the Information Technology (IT) Act. </p>.<p>A senior police officer told DH that the investigators were examining the claims. </p>.<p>"The servers are down for data copying for the time being,” the officer said. “But they [the company] are saying that most of their data was intact.” </p>