Almost a month after the widespread NotPetya malware attack, companies are still struggling to resume regular activities, some could even face permanent damage. The what was first thought to be a ransomware attack started on the 27th of June and quickly managed to infect many companies all around the world. The attack came a month after WannaCry ransomware swept through the world and also caused major disruption. It is still unknown who is responsible for the attack and victims are still dealing with damages.
Both NotPetya and WannaCry made it very obvious that a lot of both individual users and companies are not prepared for an attack, and do not take cyber security seriously. The initial way NotPetya spread was via an Ukrainian company that had their servers compromised. The company, which deals with financial matters, released an update for their software and it included the malware. Those who installed the update found themselves with encrypted data. From then on, the malware spread via networks and VPNs. This attack has cost some more than others and certain victim businesses are yet to resume normal operations.
Medical software developer still feeling affects
Nuance Communications is one the companies that is still struggling to go back to usual business three weeks later. The company, which develops transcription software for medical personnel, admitted that some systems in their network gave been affected by the attack. Some of their services were initially taken down in order to assess and prevent further damage. Up till now, the company has provided regular updates on the status of their products, and has been slowly restoring normal functionality.
Understandably, it is taking the company a while to return their services online but hospital clients may start looking at other options. The company offers speech and imaging programs, including medical transcription software that medical professionals use, and sites online for other medical issues as medical negligence as www.the-medical-negligence-experts.co.uk and others.
International courier delivery service may have suffered permanent damage
US and international courier delivery service FedEx is still feeling affects and has admitted on Monday that some damage could be permanent. The company explained that their Ukrainian branch, TNT, was severely affected as they were using the infected software that initiated the malware attack. The branch found their data encrypted and usual business was interrupted. The ransomware then spread via network to other company systems.
The company has reassured that no data has been stolen but the encryption has significantly damaged the systems. Almost a month after the attack, FedEx customers are still experiencing delays and some systems are still down. “We cannot yet estimate how long it will take to restore the systems that were impacted, and it is reasonably possible that TNT will be unable to fully restore all of the affected systems and recover all of the critical business data that was encrypted by the virus”, the company warns in a statement released on Monday.
The company is also expecting to have suffered significant financial loss over lost revenue and customers. FedEx also revealed that they do not have cyber insurance, which means it will have to deal with the damages by itself.
References
FedEx Says Some Damage From NotPetya Ransomware May Be Permanent. BleepingComputer
TNT Express may have suffered permanent data loss at the hands of NotPetya. The Inquirer
Petya cyber-attack still disrupting firms weeks later. BBC News