Rhysida hackers extort Berlin for €2 million, government conceals scope of data breach
The Rhysida group has attacked Berlin's administrative network and is demanding 30 bitcoins in ransom. The Berlin government refuses to comment on the demands and is concealing which data has been leaked.
Berlin government silent on cyber attack as hackers threaten to publish sensitive data
The Berlin state government has refused to comment on demands from hackers who attacked the city's administrative data network two weeks ago. A cabinet spokesperson stated this on Saturday, as reported by Aktuality according to a DPA agency report.
"For investigative tactical reasons, we are not commenting on this at present," the spokesperson said. Investigation of the cyber attack is continuing, according to her.
The government is also concealing which specific data the attackers gained access to and who is behind the attack. According to German weekly Der Spiegel, the attack, which became public on 14 August, was carried out by the Rhysida group — an organisation active for several years that uses specialised malware for extortion purposes.
The hackers are demanding 30 bitcoins, which at the current exchange rate represents approximately two million euros, DPA clarified. If the conditions are not met, the group threatens to publish data obtained during the attack. Der Spiegel obtained information about the ransom from the group's posts on the so-called darknet.
The attackers gained access to a large quantity of sensitive data including records from administrative offence proceedings and passwords.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner and state Interior Minister Iris Spranger informed the public of the extortion attempt on Friday following an extraordinary meeting of the city leadership, but provided no further details. "The state of Berlin will not be extorted," Wegner stated.
Source: Aktuality