Hackers demanded Ransom in the form of Bitcoin from ZNS after infiltrating the servers

The Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas (BCB) was shut out completely of their internal systems on the afternoon of January 14, 2018, when the hackers, look like to be from overseas, have infiltrated corporation's servers and then demanded ransom. Michael Smith, BCB Executive Chairman, confirmed on Tuesday (i.e. on January 15, 2018) - that network's system has been hacked, and release of the system held for ransom.

"We were attacked," explained the BCB Executive Chairman, who also said that the authorities were contacted to investigate the matter. Smith added that "I was informed by our information technology people that none of the servers could be accessed. Somebody had taken them over; encrypted them so we could not access them and they were demanding a ransom".

Smith further said that the administration as well as the technical areas got obviously affected as everything is computerized now-a-days.

It was verified by Smith that the hackers, had initially demanded $50,000, however later they ask for $18,000 to $20,000. They wanted the ransom amount to be paid in the form of bitcoin. Once the hackers will receive the ransom, they said a password will be provided.

Smith said that they have contacted police and involves them. He also declared that after discussions with the police officials, the corporation decided that they will not pay the ransom amount to the hackers.

BCB Executive Chairman also said that "they are working with international partners, law enforcement partners and trying to find out exactly what is going on because at this point, we don't have access to all of the computerized equipment that you would normally use for broadcasting or telecasting". Smith added that they are required to rebuild server as well as the whole works.

It was not clear whether hackers were successful in obtaining any kind of sensitive information, including the employee records for instance. Smith said that they are still accessing that. Finally, Executive Chairman of the BCB stated that after this incident the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas aims to strengthen the security systems and will remain very vigilant in order to make sure something like this doesn't happen again.

» SPAMfighter News - 1/28/2019