The second largest media group in Norway, Amedia, announced on Wednesday that it was crippled by a ransomware attack that has prevented it from publishing the print editions of its many local newspapers since Wednesday and for an undetermined period of time.
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After revealing Tuesday that it had been the target of a serious computer attack, Amedia said on Wednesday that the perpetrators were demanding a ransom to restore control of the hacked servers.
"
This is a very classic ransomware attack, where intruders have invaded part of our servers, encrypted our data and left a business card that typically leads to a ransom note,
" said Pål Group IT director. Nedregotten.
"
We are not going to open a dialogue in this direction,
" he told the NRK public broadcaster.
Inability to publish the paper journal
The attack, which occurred overnight Monday through Tuesday, does not affect the group's online editions, but prevents publication of print editions, the group said in a statement.
Amedia is currently trying to find a back-up solution to be able to print new newspapers, according to Pål Nedregotten.
“
It's going to last quite a while.
It's exhausting work to recover our systems,
”he explained.
Amedia, the second largest media group in Norway behind leader Schibsted, specializes in local and regional press, with around 100 titles.
The group also owns major press printing houses in Russia, but no newspaper.
Amedia did not report any disruption to its Russian business.