Source: TheDrum
WPP has been subject to an apparent global cyber attack with reports of systems crashing and ransom demands.
Several of WPP’s agencies including GroupM, MediaCom, JWT and Y&R saw their computer systems, phones and e-mail affected by the ransomware attack which locked out computers with a message saying the user’s files had been encrypted and would only be free once they paid 300 in bitcoin..
In an email sent to WPP agencies staff have been told that it is affecting all “Windows servers, PCs and laptops” and all Windows machines “must be turned off and disconnected immediately until further notice” while it investigates, The Drum reported.
In a statement released yesterday, WPP said that not all its companies were subject to the hack.
“On Tuesday 27 June a number of WPP companies – though not all – were affected by the ransomware attack that hit organisations around the world,” the statement said.
It continued: “We are working with our IT partners and law enforcement agencies to take all appropriate precautionary measures, restore services where they have been disrupted, and keep the impact on clients, partners and our people to a minimum. Having taken steps to contain the attack, the priority now is to return to normal operations as soon as possible while protecting our systems.”
WPP is not the only company thought to be impacted. The Ukrainian central bank, Russian oil producer Rosneft and Danish shipping company Maersk have all reported disruption as a result of a ransomware attack.
Cyber security firm Symanec confirmed that the attack is a new strain of ‘Petya’ ransomware that was used in last month’s WannaCry attack that affected more than 230,000 computers in over 150 countries.
