CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The creator of one of America’s first honey buns has become the latest victim of a cyber-attack. Charlotte-based Carolina Foods is on the list of companies hit with ransomware attacks.

Ransomware attacks happen when hackers get into a system and lock certain data and files demanding a payment to release the data. In Carolina Foods’ case, the nature of the data stolen is unknown, but experts say these attacks are happening more often.

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Tom Blanchard, CEO of Sterling Technology Solutions, explained many hacks come from outside the country, but it’s difficult to fully trace the origin.

“Usually they’re in cells, that’s a hacking group and with technology,” Blanchard explained. “The way it is that you don’t need to live in the same city, they can live wherever they want to live, they can execute these hacks from anywhere. They’re done on an automated basis.”

Ransomware tracking sites listed Carolina Foods as a victim of the Black Basta group possibly taking up to 450 gigabytes of company data encrypting it and demanding payment for its release.

“For Carolina Foods, what that might look like is their logistics system that helps them, I’m guessing they have truck deliveries and things like that, right?” Blanchard asked. “So, did something like that get encrypted that might impede their ability to do business?”

Carolina Foods, creator of the baked goods Dutchess brand, did not return requests for comment on the attack. Blanchard says ransomware attacks are happening more often.

“I would like to think that when businesses are seeing all these attacks, they would be a little more vigilant about doing things like having good backup that you can restore from quickly,” Blanchard said. “That’s the easiest protection against rampant ransomware.”

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