Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Metro Vancouver Transit Police files hacked in raid linked to Russian extortion gang

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Jun, 2023 10:57 AM
  • Metro Vancouver Transit Police files hacked in raid linked to Russian extortion gang

Metro Vancouver Transit Police say the agency was targeted by hackers who accessed almost 200 of its files as part of a global wave of attacks that U.S. officials have blamed on a Russian cyber-extortion gang.

The police service says in a news release that a thorough review is underway to determine what information was contained in the 186 files that were accessed in the attack on a third-party file transfer system called MOVEit.

It says the hackers did not gain access to the Transit Police network, and the software vulnerability has been patched and repaired.

The agency says it's not expected the incident will have any impact on investigations or prosecutions.

It says an investigation is being conducted by the RCMP's cybercrime investigative teams in Montreal and Vancouver.

MOVEit, which is widely used by businesses and government agencies to share files, was hit recently by an extortion syndicate that last week gave its victims a deadline to negotiate a ransom or risk having sensitive data dumped online. 

The Cl0p gang, among the world’s most prolific cybercrime syndicates, also claimed it would delete any data stolen from governments, cities and police departments.

Other known victims include the Nova Scotia provincial government, Louisiana’s Office of Motor Vehicles, Oregon's Department of Transportation, British Airways, the British Broadcasting Company and the British drugstore chain Boots.

The parent company of MOVIEit's U.S. maker, Progress Software, alerted customers to the breach on May 31 and issued a patch. But cybersecurity researchers say scores if not hundreds of companies could by then have had sensitive data quietly taken.

Jen Easterly, director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, told reporters last week that the Cl0p campaign was short, relatively superficial and caught quickly.

A senior official in the security agency said the U.S. has "no evidence to suggest co-ordination between Cl0p and the Russian government."

MORE National ARTICLES

Surrey Arson suspect charged

Surrey Arson suspect charged
Two fires occurred in the northwest part of the city on May 28th, less than 12 hours apart. There were two businesses on the lower level as well as a residential units on the upper level of the building that sustained significant fire and water damage.

Surrey Arson suspect charged

Fraser Health Authority to construct new care home

Fraser Health Authority to construct new care home
The project, which is expected to be finished in 2027, will replace Mountain View Manor and its 92 beds. The new facility is being designed as households that accommodate 12 or 13 residents each, with 200 beds in total.  

Fraser Health Authority to construct new care home

Drug seizure in Kelowna

Drug seizure in Kelowna
A recent traffic stop led to a drug seizure in Kelowna. R-C-M-P say they were patrolling an area known for drug trafficking on June 2nd when they pulled over a vehicle for a number of traffic violations.

Drug seizure in Kelowna

Man pleads guilty to sexual offences: New Westminster Police

Man pleads guilty to sexual offences: New Westminster Police
Police say they launched an investigation into Marcio Cerquinho in May of 2021. They say a total of three victims have been identified since then. Cerquinho pleaded guilty earlier this week.

Man pleads guilty to sexual offences: New Westminster Police

Is mental health support a key element of inclusive work culture?

Is mental health support a key element of inclusive work culture?
Investing in mental health support not only benefits individual employees but also yields significant economic returns, creating a win-win scenario for both employees and organisations.

Is mental health support a key element of inclusive work culture?

Woman shot in East Vancouver

Woman shot in East Vancouver
Vancouver Police were called to Vernon Drive and East 2nd Avenue after shots were fired just after 7 p.m. Wednesday. Officers located a 28-year-old woman with a gunshot wound. She was taken to hospital and is expected to survive.  

Woman shot in East Vancouver