Another major ransomware attack hits TNT, Maersk and more

A ransomware attack known as “Petya” has hit companies including TNT Express, Maersk, and food company Mondolez.

This is the second major ransomware attack this year, following the spread of Wannacry in May. It is a particular kind of malware that encrypts data on computer systems and demands a ransom for the encryption to be removed.

Maersk is facing problems globally, according to Dutch broadcaster NOS. In Rotterdam, APM Terminals, which is owned by Maersk and is one of the largest port operators in the world, has been affected.

TNT has reported “interference with some of our systems within the TNT network” over the past 24 hours.

“We are assessing the situation and are implementing remediation steps as quickly as possible,” the company said in a statement posted on its social media accounts.

Ukraine appears to be the intended primary target of the attack, with 60 percent of infections recorded in the country, according to computer security company ESET. The attack also seems to have begun there.

(Source: NL Times, The Guardian)