Sinclair Broadcast Group, the parent company of dozens of news stations across the U.S. was hit by ransomware over the weekend.
Sinclair said in a news release Monday that hackers had used ransomware to encrypt some of its key operational servers, rendering them unusable and stolen some data.
The event has caused — and may continue to cause — disruption to parts of the Company s business, including certain aspects of its provision of local ads by its local broadcast stations on behalf of its customers, stated the release.
The current attack was first reported by the Recorded Future, a media outlet owned by cybersecurity firm The Recorded.
Ransomware has become a lucrative tool for cybercriminals, who often attack US companies remotely and extort them for money. MOST people now choose to steal victims computers and lock them in, both threatening to steal them if not paid.
Multiple servers and workstations were contaminated with Ransomware, Sinclair said.
Sinclair noticed the attack on Friday. Ransomware hackers often launch their attacks at the beginning of Fridays in the hope that victims will be short-staffed.
Sinclair is the second-parent network of news media to be hit with ransomware this year. In June the Cox Media Group was also infected with ransomware and in fact left a number of its affiliate news stations unable to use their computers or mobile phones for days.