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Berlin Mayor Refuses Ransom in Major Cyberattack
๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ฎ Finland /Conflict & Security

Berlin Mayor Refuses Ransom in Major Cyberattack

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Hackers breached Berlin's city computer systems in August, stealing data.
  • The attackers demanded a ransom of 30 bitcoin, approximately two million euros, which city officials refuse to pay.
  • The Rhysida group, believed to operate from Russia and Eastern Europe, has claimed responsibility for the attack and plans to auction the stolen data.

Berlin authorities will not pay a ransom demanded by hackers who breached the city's computer systems and stole data in August. Mayor Kai Wegner announced Thursday that the city will not yield to the demand, the amount of which he did not disclose. However, German publication Der Spiegel reported that the hackers sought 30 bitcoin, equivalent to about two million euros.

We will not give in to the demands.

โ€” Kai WegnerMayor of Berlin, stating the city's refusal to pay ransom.

The cyberattack forced the closure of some of the German capital's network systems. Officials are currently working to determine the extent of the stolen data and are urgently seeking to identify the perpetrators. The Rhysida group has reportedly claimed responsibility for the breach. This group is also believed to be behind a previous cyberattack on the British Museum.

We will try to determine the identity of the attackers with extreme urgency.

โ€” Kai WegnerMayor of Berlin, commenting on the investigation into the cyberattack.

According to Reuters, Rhysida has stated on its website that it intends to begin auctioning the 5.79 terabytes of data stolen from Berlin in seven days. Authorities confirmed that the initial data leak occurred between August 7 and 12.

will begin auctioning the 5.79 terabytes of data stolen from Berlin seven days from now

โ€” RhysidaStatement from the Rhysida group regarding their plans for the stolen data.
About this summary

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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