Japanese auto giant Honda, victim of ransomware attack

Since the beginning of this year, hackers have been on the rise.

Cyberattacks are on the move, and the health crisis has made things even easier. The preferred targets were health organizations. But cyber criminals do not limit their scope of action.

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Later this week, the Japanese automaker and other motorized vehicles publicly acknowledged that it had been hit by a ransomware attack. According to the statement, which was broadcast by the BBC, the Japanese company says the computer attack unfortunately affected its computer systems linked to its production plants in Japan and around the world. This has resulted in "technical problems" that have stopped the manufacturers' activities for a while.

The Japanese firm, which confirmed that "a cyberattack took place on its network," also stated that it was likely to prevent or reduce its access to its computer system, and to use its messaging services and many other tools necessary for the smooth running of its industry. It also notes that: "Work is being undertaken to minimize the impact and restore all the functionality of the production, sales and development activities." However, a post on his Twitter account revealed that the company was experiencing "technical problems."

The scale of the computer attack on Honda is determined by its scope. Indeed, it should be noted that the Japanese firm is one of the largest manufacturers of motorized vehicles in the world. It employs approximately 200,000 people and is made up of nearly 400 companies that are affiliated directly or indirectly. It has factories located all over the world including in Europe and South America. The computer attack affected almost every factory. Whether in North America, Italy, Great Britain or Turkey. The work suspension is also observed.

The attack is purely a classic. Indeed, the computer security experts who followed this case determined the presence of a ransomware program. This may imply while the hacker or group of hackers behind the attack has/have surely encrypted the data of the Japanese firm. Although Honda's side, it is claimed that no confidential or company-related information has yet leaked. It will even add, "At this point, we are seeing minimal commercial impact."

According to Morgan Wright, chief advisor to cybersecurity firm Sentinel One, a computer security specialist: "This looks like a case of using an Ekans ransomware. Ekans, or Snake ransomware, is designed to attack networks of industrial control systems. The fact that Honda suspended production and sent factory workers home indicates a disruption to its manufacturing systems."

The culprits have not yet been identified.

One more attack to be counted among the victims at the ransomware. On the one hand, this is not likely to really surprise security experts in the sense that 2020 was foreshadowed by this as a year enough for the spread of ransomware attacks like 2019, considered to be the year of ransomware, with nearly 174 cities spread around the world affected by this scourge. The company specializing in the supply of security solutions BitDefender, commented on the attacks of 2019 in these words: "The ransomware operators did not discriminate and ransomware strains like LockerGoga, Ryuk and REvil (aka Sodinokibi or Sodin) – fallout from the infamous GandCrab – made headlines in the first half of 2019. The most targeted vertical sectors range from education, government, critical infrastructure (water distribution, power plants), health care and services, to MSPs whose offerings include cybersecurity services for large client portfolios." In addition, the cybersecurity firm warned earlier this year that 2020 could suffer the same wrath from cyber criminals to ransomware.

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