Security News > 2021 > November > MediaMarkt hit by Hive ransomware, initial $240 million ransom
Electronics retail giant MediaMarkt has suffered a Hive ransomware with an initial ransom demand of $240 million, causing IT systems to shut down and store operations to be disrupted in Netherlands and Germany.
MediaMarkt suffered a ransomware attack late Sunday evening into Monday morning that encrypted servers and workstations and led to the shutdown of IT systems to prevent the attack's spread. BleepingComputer has learned that the attack affected numerous retail stores throughout Europe, primarily those in the Netherlands.
BleepingComputer has confirmed that the Hive Ransomware operation is behind the attack and initially demanded a huge, but unrealistic, $240 million ransom demand to receive a decryptor for encrypted files.
While it is not clear if unencrypted data has been stolen as part of the attack, Hive ransomware is known to steal files and publish them on their 'HiveLeaks' data leak site if a ransom is not paid.
Hive ransomware is a relatively new operation launched in June 2021 that is known to breach organizations through malware-laced phishing campaigns.
Unlike some ransomware operations that will not encrypt healthcare institutions, nursing homes, government agencies, and other essential services, Hive ransomware does not seem to care who they target.