- Cyber attacks on museums in France <unk> ransom demanded
According to reports from police sources on Monday evening, cyber-criminals attacked a system that centralizes financial data for several museums in France overnight on Saturday. The attackers are reportedly demanding ransom and threatening to leak the encrypted data.
The French National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) confirmed to news agency AFP that it was aware of the incident. However, it stated that it does not affect any information systems involved in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. For instance, the affected Grand Palais exhibition hall hosts events such as fencing competitions during the Games.
The Louvre in France is not believed to be affected
The Grand Palais confirmed that it was affected by a cyber-attack but did not provide details. The world-renowned Louvre in central Paris, which was also reportedly affected, denied this.
Criminals often exploit security vulnerabilities in companies or individuals to encrypt and lock their computer systems, then demand ransom to unlock them.
Despite the cyber-attack affecting the Grand Palais, which hosts events during the Olympic Games, the French National Cybersecurity Agency assured that the Olympic and Paralympic Games' information systems remained unaffected. Regardless of the reports suggesting the Louvre's involvement, the iconic museum in Paris denied being targeted in the recent cyber-attack during the Olympic Games.
