The Grand Palais, an Olympic venue in Paris, and around 40 other museums in France fell victim to a cyber ransomware attack.
This is according to French police sources who responded to the attack as it took place.
Cybercriminals targeted the system used to centralize financial data for brands located at these institutions.
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The attackers demanded a ransom and threatened to release sensitive financial data if their demands were not met.
France’s national cybersecurity agency, ANSSI, confirmed being alerted about the incident.
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Additionally, France’s cyber security agency stated that the hacked systems were not directly involved in the Olympic Games.
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Are the Olympic games safe?
The Grand Palais typically hosts major cultural exhibitions and is currently used for Olympic fencing and martial arts events.
Grand Palais acknowledged the cyberattack but withheld further details involving the cyber heist.
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However, despite initial reports, the world-renowned Louvre denied being affected by the cyber hacking.
A criminal investigation has been launched, focusing on data system attacks and extortion by an organized gang.
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Cyber Goons
Ransomware attacks typically involve cybercriminals infiltrating computer systems and demanding money.
Typically, the exchange of money is often pegged as a condition for unlocking the compromised data sectors and operations.
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This incident underscores the ongoing cybersecurity challenges faced by cultural institutions that command global attention.
However, these attacks have not slowed down the ongoing Olympic games which are well underway at their peak.
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