Bridgestone Americas Hacked: LockBit Ransomware Gang Claims Responsibility
The LockBit ransomware gang has returned.
A Bleeping Computer report mentioned that the ransomware gang recently took responsibility for the cyberattack on Bridgestone Americas, one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers.
LockBit claims to have stolen data important or sensitive enough to threaten Bridgestone with the leaking of these data.
What is LockBit?
LockBit is currently one of the most active ransomware gangs that ask for large amounts of money as ransom for stolen information. The ransomware gang previously targeted global IT consultancy Accenture in August 2021, according to a separate Bleeping Computer report.
The ransomware gang uses LockBit, a self-spreading malware that uses tools like Windows Powershell and Server Message Block to spread itself within an organization, per a Kaspersky report.
Industrial cybersecurity expert Dragos mentioned in its report that the ransomware gang actively targeted companies in the industrial and manufacturing sector in 2021. Dragos’ report also mentioned that the transportation sector and food and beverage sector were the second and third most targeted sectors, respectively.
Currently, LockBit is threatening Bridgestone with the release of the data it stole in its attack on the tire manufacturer in late February. The ransomware gang also did not mention what data it stole or the amount it was asking to keep the data from being leaked.
Bridgestone also didn’t mention if the leaking of the stolen data will be detrimental to the company.
What Happened?
The tire manufacturer mentioned that it detected an IT security incident on February 27 and has “proactively notified federal law enforcement” about the incident. Bridgestone has since determined that the incident is the result of a ransomware attack but has no evidence to prove it was a targeted attack.
The company decided at the time to disconnect many of its manufacturing and retreading facilities in Latin America and North America from its network to “contain and prevent any potential impact…,” per WRDW-TV’s article.
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The disconnection resulted in the shutting down first…
