Indonesia’s data centre hit by ransomware attack

Indonesia’s national data centre had been recently hit by a ransomware attack demanding a ransom of $8 million, Communication and Informatics Minister Budi Arie Setiadi said on Monday.

According to the country’s news agency Antara, the cyber attack has caused major disruptions to the immigration office’s online services nationwide over the past week. Automated passport machines were now functioning, he said.

Budi said attackers used a new variant of existing malicious software called Lockbit 3.0. Ransom by encrypting a victim's data. Hackers can offer a key in return for payments, in cryptocurrency, that can reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

If the victim resists, hackers can then threaten to leak or delete confidential data in a bid to pressure the person or organisation.

Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan, an official at the communications ministry, said digital forensics into investigation are underway and have yet to find further details.