A hacker or a group of hackers has reportedly attacked one of the world's biggest producers of aluminum demanding that the company pay a ransom to get back access to their files. Norsk Hydro announced earlier this week that the cyber attack on their network has caused the company to temporarily halt parts of its production. The company reportedly shut down its metal extrusion plants in Norway. These facilities churn out aluminum ingots that are mostly shipped to automotive manufacturers and other industries across the globe.
According to the company, the ransomware attack has caused major problems in its IT systems across the company's various production facilities and offices. Norsk Hydro's CFO, Eivind Kallevik told reporters that they were now unable to access their desktop computers or access their files. Kallevik also revealed that they have yet to pinpoint the source of the attack nor have they identified the group who sent the ransomware virus.
The Norwegian National Security Authority (NNSA) released a report revealing that the attack was a form of ransomware virus called a Locker Goga. The virus apparently encrypts targeted computer files. An encryption key is needed to unlock these files and attackers typically will ask for payment before sending the key to their victims. Norsk Hydro has not yet revealed whether the attackers have already sent their demands or how much money they were asking. When asked by reporters if the company had any plans to pay the ransom, Kellevik replied that they are already planning to restore their systems using backup servers.
While the attack had crippled the company's various manufacturing plants, the virus had reportedly only affected systems that were operated by computers. Other plants, such as the company's giant smelters in Norway, are still operational. Norsk Hydro has also reportedly shifted some of its facilities to be operated manually while they try to resolve the issue. Kellevik explained that they have already added more people to these facilities to aid in their manual operation.
Following the attack on Norsk Hyrdo, prices for aluminum hit a three-month high on the London Metal Exchange. Stock prices for the company also immediately fell by as much as 3.4 percent.
While no other companies were affected by the attack, the NNSA's National Cyber Security Center has issued a warning to major Norwegian companies. The last major cyber attack in Norway was on the software company Visma. Hackers reportedly attempted to steal company secrets by forcefully breaching the company's computer network.
