Kuwait’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has reportedly foiled a recent hacking attempt, which involved the Ransomware Lockbit virus, according to local media reports. The ministry swiftly took several security measures in response to the incident, including disconnecting the affected computers.
“The attack involved the Ransomware Lockbit virus, which entered the network through two personal computers. The ministry acted swiftly by disconnecting the affected computers”, the report stated.
Fortunately, none of the critical data related to the operations of companies, institutions, transactions or the lives of citizens and residents were encrypted or impacted, according to the ministry. The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of cyberattacks that public and private entities face regularly. In response, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is reportedly implementing stricter measures to strengthen its network and electronic systems.
READ ALSO:
Kaspersky Acquires Ximi Pro to Expand Container Security Solution and Meet Growing Market Demand
Continuity and Bulwark partner to provide cyber resiliency solutions for storage and backup systems
LockBit ransomware is malicious software that prevents user entry into computer systems until a ransom is paid. The ransomware automatically searches for valuable targets, propagates the infection and encrypts all reachable computer systems within a network. This ransomware is specifically designed for precise attacks targeted at businesses and other institutions.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry reportedly detected the hacking attempt using the Lockbit ransomware two weeks ago, after it penetrated its network through two personal computers. However, the computers were immediately disconnected and the hackers were unable to access the ministry’s systems or cause any disruptions to their efficiency. The data that was displayed came from the personal computers that were disconnected, not the ministry’s systems.
