Numerous newspapers crippled after ransomware attack

The second largest media group in Norway, Amedia, has announced that it has been paralyzed by a ransomware attack which has prevented it from publishing the print editions of its many local newspapers since Wednesday and for an undetermined period of time. After revealing Tuesday that it had been the target of a serious computer attack, Amedia let it be known the next day that the perpetrators were demanding a ransom to restore control of the hacked servers.

“This is a very classic ransomware attack, where intruders have invaded part of our servers, encrypted our data and left a business card that typically leads to a ransom note,” said Pål Group IT director. Nedregotten. “We are not going to open a dialogue in this direction,” he told the NRK public broadcaster.

A recovery hoped for this Thursday

The attack, which occurred overnight Monday through Tuesday, does not affect the group’s online editions, but prevents publication of the print editions. Amedia is currently working on a fallback solution to be able to print new newspapers, management explained at a press conference.

About twenty of the group’s hundred newspapers should be able to come off the presses this Thursday, according to Amedia. The second largest media group in Norway behind leader Schibsted, the company specializes in local and regional press. The group also owns major press printing houses in Russia, but no newspaper. Amedia did not report any disruption to its Russian business.