Hacker attack on the Lazio Region
A few days ago, we told you about the ransomware attack conducted against the computer systems of the Lazio Region which caused various problems for both employees and citizens, since the registration portal for COVID-19 vaccinations was also involved. According to the expert JAMESWT, the attack was caused by the LockBit 2.0 ransomware, while the colleagues of Bleeping Computer instead aimed at the RansomEXX group.Photo credit - depositphotos .com Fortunately, given above all the problems and inconveniences caused from the operation, it seems that soon the situation will return to normal and without having to pay any ransom for the decryption of the data. Corrado Giustozzi, lecturer, consultant and disseminator of the cybersecurity branch, published the following message on his Facebook profile:
I am happy to confirm (and with the authorization of the Region and LazioCrea) that the Lazio Region has recovered the data without ransom payment. Not decrypting the data but recovering the backups on the Virtual Tape Library that had not been encrypted but only deleted by the attackers to make them unavailable. But working at a low level, and thanks to the advanced functions of the VTL, the LazioCrea technicians have managed to recover everything.
Flag of the Lazio Region. Source: Wikimedia Commons, public domain This story once again highlights how important it is, at this historic moment, to work to protect the most sensitive data and provide the right preparation for those who work in your company. In fact, according to some initial investigations, it seems that the attack originated from the user of an employee in smart working, who would have downloaded an attachment from a malicious e-mail, causing the ransomware to spread to the various computers connected to the network, hitting backups of regional data and encrypting them.
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Hackers shut down system for booking COVID-19 shots in Italy's Lazio region
MILAN, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Hackers have attacked and shut down the IT systems of the company that manages COVID-19 vaccination appointments for the Lazio region surrounding Rome, the regional government said on Sunday.
'A powerful hacker attack on the region's CED (database) is under way,' the region said in a Facebook posting.
It said all systems had been deactivated, including those of the region's health portal and vaccination network, and warned the inoculation programme could suffer a delay.
'It is a very powerful hacker attack, very serious... everything is out. The whole regional CED is under attack,' Lazio region's health manager Alessio D'Amato said.
According to ANSA, Italy's postal police and Rome prosecutors are looking into the matter and could open an investigation to find out who is behind the attack.
Italy recently followed France in announcing that proof of vaccination or immunity from COVID-19 would become mandatory for an array of activities.
The move triggered a series of protests across the country against introduction of the so-called Green Pass which shows people have been vaccinated, tested negative or recovered from COVID-19.
Reporting by Stephen Jewkes; Editing by Toby Chopra
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