Media Prima, which happens to be one of the top media companies in Malaysia, is reported to have been hit by a cyber attack of ransomware variant on Thursday last week. And as per the sources reporting to Cybersecurity Insiders, the attack disrupted most of the in-house digital services like email correspondence since then.
A source from Media Prima Berhad on the condition of Anonymity reported that the hackers who spread the malware are demanding 1000 bitcoins in order to decrypt the email systems and other servers.
As the current BTC rate is dwindling in between $6,400 to $6560 on international cryptocurrency exchanges- the total demand can be accounted to be in $6.45 million USD or 26.42 million Ringgit.
Media Prima is refusing to comment on the issue. But a top official stated that an official statement from the Corporate
Communication department will be released by this weekend.
Datuk Kamal Khalid, the Managing Director of the media group declined to comment on the issue due to its sensitivity.
Kuala Lumpur based Media Prima is known to run a different business related to Media and Entertainment. It has a stable of TV and radio channels, runs newspapers, does advertising and is also into web development.
Note 1-Ransomware is a type of malware that creeps into the network and blocks access to the data on servers by encrypting the content.
Note 2- Founded in September 2003, the company happens to be Malaysia’s largest publisher with 3 national newspapers- BH, Harian Metro, and New Strait Times. In radio division, Fly FM, Hot FM, One FM, and Kool FM are well renowned among the Malaysian populace.
