Hackers truly do not discriminate.
Their latest target?
Professional sports organizations.
In news released yesterday by the PGA, it was revealed that there was an attack on the computer servers belonging to the Professional Golfers Association of America.
The attack has resulted in PGA officials being denied access to critical files related to the current and future PGA Championships.
This directly affects the current PGA Championship being played right now, as well as the Ryder Cup set to take place next month in France, according to Golfweek.
Though it is not abundantly clear how much an effect this hack will have on the tournaments themselves.
(Source: https://www.ccn.com/hackers-breach-pga-servers-ahead-of-golf-championship-demand-bitcoin/)
Some specifics:
The hackers are demanding, what else?
Bitcoin
Once they receive bitcoin they say they will restore access to these critical files.
The message left by the hackers is simple enough:
"We Have Taken Over"
Employees thought their network might have been compromised earlier this week when they received a message saying as much.
The message also contained a bitcoin wallet address for funds to be sent to along with this tidbit:
“We exclusively have decryption software for your situation. No decryption software is available in the public."
No specific amount of bitcoin was demanded.
The PGA has already indicated that they will not be paying any ransoms.
This is just another in a long line of hackings over the past few years.
A couple high profile hackings forced the hackees to pay millions of dollars worth of bitcoin in order to gain access to their data.
In some instances people have even been kidnapped and ransomed for bitcoin.
One notable case took place last year in Russia where a cryptocurrency exchange executive (seen above) was held hostage until he paid over $1 million worth of bitcoin in order to be released.
This is one of the biggest problems with cryptocurrency currently, when you are you own back, you often need security like a bank.
Stay informed my friends.
Image Source:
Follow me: @jrcornel
Maybe they can Hack into Tiger’s score to give him a Win!
Hackers are major threat for the growth of crypto market. They steal hard earned money of Innocent people. We need to work together to Haunt them and bring them to justice.
Yes, I hope they are brought to justice as well. The good thing is that the blockchain leaves somewhat of a paper trail.
Paper trail should be enough evidence to sue them
Wowww, so sad! It's depressing to have years of effort into something just for a tiny criminal to take it all away. I didn't know about the kidnappings and all those other illicit activities taking place over Bitcoin! It's terrible. :(
Do you play golf?
As bitcoin getting more famous the crimes using bitcoin are increasing this is sad part. @jrcornel
Correct. I think bitcoin whales learned very quickly that it is best not to share how much you actually own.
Hi @jrcornel, Its a surprising news. Hackers have taken control of computer servers belonging to the PGA of America, demanding a bitcoin ransom from the golf association in order to return them.
I thought so too.
its very bad to see someone working so hard to earn and hackers steal away everything 😢😭
It's the worst.
Kind of Ransomware attack. Hail Bitcoin
Yep, similar to what has been used for 3 years now, holding company data hostage.
It could be a bad news of Crypto world and some will say that BTC is being used only for this things thus another drop down :(
Nah, this isn't anything new. Perhaps when this stuff first starting hitting the headlines a year ago it moved prices down slightly. Not anymore though, sadly it is known and expected at this point.
i think golf is a soft game it is very interesting
Lol a soft game?
soft like lovely game!
that's a big hack right there and demanding bitcoin seems like its going to be the new favourite thing of hackers right now