Media Prima crippled by ransomware, hackers demand RM15 million in bitcoin: Report

Media Prima Berhad, Malaysia’s largest media company was hit by ransomware locking down its internal email systems since last week.

(The Sun Daily) – Cyberhackers behind the attack which began on Thursday have demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency amounting to 1,000 bitcoins.

According to values listed by cryptocurrency exchange companies as of today the bitcoins are worth about RM15 million.

Financial news daily The Edge reported today that the extent of the data breach of Media Prima’s is yet to be known but cyberhackers have locked its system and made it inaccessible until the ransom demand met.

“The whole Media Prima group’s computer systems have been breached and infected with ransomware over the last four days. The attackers demanded 1,000 bitcoins from Media Prima in the ransomware attack,” the report said quoting a source.

It is learnt that officials of Media Prima are tight-lipped about the cyber attack on its systems and declined comment when contacted by the financial daily.

The report also quoted another source as saying that the company will not give in to the demands and will not make ransom payout.

Both federal and Selangor police officials, when contacted by theSun, said it is yet to receive a police report from Media Prima.

The public-listed company owns television stations TV3, TV9, 8TV and NTV7, several radio stations and New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd group.

In a statement issued at about 7pm by Media Prima yesterday, the company said it has chosen to refrain from making public comments on matters related to its security and internal systems.

However, the company said that at no time were it’s core business operations such as broadcast, print, out-of-home advertising, content production and digital publishing interrupted.