Drug maker MSD hit by ransomware, Indian website down
“We believe we have
contained the problem and are working on recovery plans with our external IT
partners,” MSD said in its latest update.
US drug maker Merck, known as MSD outside the
United States and Canada, the maker of top-selling diabetic drug Januvia and
cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil, among others, said its computer network was
compromised on June 27 as part of a global cyber-attack.
The website of MSD India was still down at the
time of filing the story, while its global website is up and running.
“We believe we have contained the problem
and are working on recovery plans with our external IT partners,” MSD said
in its latest update.
“We also are cooperating with global cyber
security agencies given the scope of the attack,” the statement added.
MSD said as it is addressing the potential
impact to its business, while it continues to work on minimizing disruption to
patients, customers and its other business partners.
The global pharma major said it it immediately
shut down its IT systems as a precautionary measure to help contain the problem
and, where needed, moved to business continuity plans to ensure ongoing operations.
“To meet patient and customer needs, we are
working to maintain a sufficient supply of medicines and vaccines,” MSD
said.
MSD was hit by a ransomware that infects and
locks a computer system, and then demands a USD 300 ransom to be paid in bitcoins.
Many firms, including Symantec, have suggested
the ransomware is a variant of Petya, a known ransomware. But according to
security firm Kaspersky Lab, preliminary findings indicate the attacks are from
a new ransomware that it's now calling "ExPetr."
The attackers were using a Windows operating system flaw called EternalBlue to
spread through corporate networks.
MSD with sales of around USD 40 billion in 2016
is one of the world’s biggest drug makers.
To be sure – the hackers didn’t limit their
attacks on MSD alone; They have penetrated the networks of several big
corporates including British advertising agency WPP, Russian oil and gas giant
Rosneft, global logistics company FedEx and Danish shipping firm Maersk, among
others.
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