ST. JOHN’S – The Newfoundland Broadcasting Company Limited, owner of a popular independent TV station in Newfoundland and Labrador, has been targeted by a ransomware attack.
Attack Details and Immediate Impact
The cyberattack, claimed by the Play ransomware group, has breached some of the company's systems. However, the incident has not disrupted the on-air operations of NTV or its radio counterpart, OZFM. The attackers are now threatening to leak sensitive company data online.
Data Compromised
According to Play's site on the dark web, the stolen data includes budget details, payroll information, and client documents from NTV. Play typically encrypts victims' data, rendering it inaccessible, and demands payment to release and delete the stolen information.
Expert Advice on Ransom Demands
Brett Callow, a cybersecurity analyst based in British Columbia, advises against paying the ransom. He emphasises that payment does not guarantee the data's destruction. “Paying the demand in these cases simply elicits a pinky promise from the criminals that the stolen data will be destroyed, and there is ample evidence that gangs don’t always do that,” Callow explained. He added that some organisations have been extorted multiple times with the same data.
Recent Targets of Play Group
The Play ransomware group has recently targeted other organisations, including U.S.-based loan and tax agency Credit Central and the Anchorage Daily News in Alaska.
Company Response and Investigation
In response to the breach, the Newfoundland Broadcasting Company has informed the police and enlisted the help of cybersecurity experts to investigate. Lindsey Andrews, the company’s chief operating officer, assured that they are working hard to understand the extent of the data breach and how it occurred. “We have a dedicated internal and external team, but this process will take some time,” Andrews said.
The Newfoundland Broadcasting Company continues to address the fallout from this attack, focusing on safeguarding their systems and data. This incident underscores the growing risk of ransomware attacks on media organisations and the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures. Readers are encouraged to stay alert and protect their own data from similar threats. The company’s efforts to mitigate the impact of this cyberattack will be ongoing.
