The attack on Swiss IT service providers affects Pathé cinemas much more

The ransomware attack against Unico Data AG in Bern has far-reaching consequences. Many customers are affected, including a well-known gadget manufacturer.

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A hacker attack on Bernese IT company Unico Data AG is spreading. Last Wednesday, officials had to present information about the cyber attack at a hastily convened media conference.

Unico Data takes care of more than 100 small and medium-sized clients from Münsingen with about 75 employees, “Thuner Tagblatt” reports. These are found mainly at home in the Bern region.

The consequences are dire for many private companies and state institutions, research shows.

Movie tickets are only available on site

Meanwhile, the far-reaching consequences of the ransomware attack are becoming clear. For example, the Pathé cinema chain is required to inform on its website that online ticket sales are not possible until further notice.

According to a media release from Pathé, the system is being restored “in cooperation with the responsible authorities”. Contact by e-mail is not currently possible. It is not yet possible to say when the systems will be fully available again. We do our best to provide services as quickly as possible.

Pathé Switzerland operates cinemas in Basel, Bern, Dietlikon ZH, Ebikon LU, Geneva, Lausanne and Spreitbach AG.

A well-known gadget manufacturer is struggling with the problems

It appears that Swiss tool manufacturer PB Swiss Tools has also been affected. The traditional company based in Wasen in the Emmental provides information on its website:

The company is transparent about the cyber attack. Behind it is the Play Ransomware gang.Screenshot: pbswisstools.com

Despite the restrictions, production can be maintained in shifts, says Managing Director Eva Gesli and asks customers for patience.

Municipal administration is paralyzed

The municipality of Rugsau in Bern has also been in a state of emergency for the past few days. Officials reported on Tuesday that the municipality’s administration’s EDP system is down.

“Thuner Tagblatt” quoted the managing director of Unico Data as saying that the affected IT systems “will start running again over the next few days and weeks.” So residents will have to be patient for their administration to operate again as normal.

Electrical engineering group confirms attack

Boess Group has also been affected, a company representative confirmed to Watson. The group of companies specializing in electrical engineering services, headquartered in Bern 13 locations across Switzerland.

Who are the attackers?

the Hacker and blackmailer gang “play” It posted a message on its data leak page on the dark web on Friday (June 2, 2023), which does not bode well.

On the dark web data leak page, criminals claim to have stolen 2.8 terabytes of data and threaten to release it.Screenshot: Watson

Cybercriminals mock:

Unico Data CEO Vince Lehman had previously confirmed to the media that it was a ransomware attack.

The file extension “play.” What was discovered in the encrypted data was clear evidence of the involvement of the gang of the same name, whose previous victims included Xplain AG, media companies NZZ and CH Media (to which Watson belonged). .

Typical of cybercriminals: They launched the actual encryption attack outside of business hours, during Pentecost weekend. Unico Data’s IT managers observed the malware attack on the night of Saturday, May 27th to Sunday, May 28th.

Unico Data reported on your website On progress in containing cyber attack. There it says:

sources

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