Finland issues warning about Akira ransomware erasing NAS and tape backup devices

Ladies and gents, gather round and allow me to spin you a tale. This is no fairy story mind you, it’s very real and very relevant in the digital world we live in. It involves fiendish cyber threats and holds particular significance if you’re in the healthcare industry and cybersecurity realm. Keep that cuppa close, you’ll need it.

There’s a menace on the loose. It’s called Akira and has been causing grief aplenty – particularly in Finland, which is where our tale begins. The Finnish National Cybersecurity Center (or NCSC-FI for those who prefer acronyms) tell us that Akira ransomware activity increased in the final month of last year.

“What’s Akira ransomware?” I hear you ask. Well, it’s a sneaky form of malware that locks up your precious data, then, and here’s the audacity, demands a payment or ‘ransom’ to unlock and return it! Downright dastardly, wouldn’t you say?

And here’s the rub, in December, Akira not only infected several companies across Finland but took it a step further – it wasn’t satisfied merely holding data ransom. Oh no, these digital scoundrels began wiping backups too.

Now, remember how we’ve always been told to back up our data? Well, that advice still holds. However, Akira has changed the game somewhat by wiping these backups, thereby dispensing with the victim’s safety net. This supercharges the impact of the attack, as it removes the option for the target to restore their data without having to cough up that precious ransom.

During that festive month, according to NCSC-FI, six out of the seven reported ransomware incidents involved this particularly troublesome Akira ransomware. A statistic as chilling as a Finnish winter night.

This tale serves as a reminder, an increasing number of nefarious digital entities are not just content with infecting systems. They seek to amplify their impact by eliminating ways for targets to circumvent the ransom situation.

Thus, while we continue to embrace the wondrous possibilities of the digital age, it is as important as ever to be vigilant. Proper precautions, solid defences and comprehensive cybersecurity strategies are crucial in keeping the big bad wolves – or ransomware – from your door.

Remember, dear reader, it’s not just about keeping the cupboards locked; ensure the contents are securely packed too. After all, you don’t want to find yourself, your company or your patients in a pickle without a paddle…or a backup!

In conclusion, let not the tale of Akira cast a shadow over the wonders of our digital world. Instead, take it as a cautionary tale, a reminder to remain alert and aware at all times. The digital arena can be a minefield, but with care, caution, and robust cybersecurity measures, it can also be a field of untold opportunities.

And that, my friends, is the end of our tale. So, as you sip the last of your tea and contemplate the digital world beyond your door, remember to safeguard your data, back it up… and then back it up again. Better safe than sorry, as they say. Safe browsing, folks!

by Parker Bytes