Ransom seeking hackers taking advantage of server flaws

Content was taken from Reuters, Mr. Raphael Satter click here for original article from The Insurance Journal's Mr. Jeff Mason click here for original article.

Since Microsoft announced a series of vulnerabilities in it's widely used mail server software on March 2, 2021 the biggest threat has been from hacker groups holding users hostage by preventing access to their data unless large sums of money are paid. One security firm had counted 10 separate hacking groups taking advantage of the flaws - with ransomware targeting being the most serious of the threats.

On Sunday, The White House urged computer network operators to "take further steps to gauge whether their systems were targeted?" Despite a recent software patch concerns over remaining vulnerabilities continued to loom. The remedy still leaves open a so-called back door that can allow access to compromised servers and perpetuating further attacks by others. The back channels for remote access can impact credit unions, town governments and small business, and have left U.S. officials scrambling to reach victims, with the FBI on Sunday urging them to contact the law enforcement agency.

CNN reported that the Biden administration was forming a task force to address the hack. The White House official, in a statement, said the administration was making “a whole of government response.” A Microsoft representative said that the company is working with the government and others to help guide them accordingly. Secondly, Microsoft has urged the impacted to install patch updates as soon as possible.

Neither the company nor the White House has specified the scale of the hack. Microsoft initially said it was limited, but the White House last week expressed concern about the potential for “a large number of victims.” So far, only a small percentage of infected networks have been compromised through the back door, the source previously told Reuters, but more attacks are expected. We will continue to monitor the situation as it develops.

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