Japan's GMO urges customers to shut down PCs amid ransomware threat

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Japan's GMO Urges PC Shutdowns Amid Ransomware and Data Leak Threats

   Japanese internet giant GMO Internet has instructed customers to shut down computers and disconnect systems from the internet following a cyberattack on its Onamae Desktop Cloud service. Attackers breached the platform, exposed company and customer data, and issued a massive ransom demand. In response, GMO Internet offered a reward of up to $1 million for information on the hackers while the high-stakes standoff escalates with the first data leaks.

   Why it matters

   The cyberattack impacts forex brokers and trading platforms, buffeting the wider Japanese economy and prompting the government to vow stronger cyber defenses. The incident underscores severe vulnerabilities in cloud desktop infrastructure as threat actors target Japanese networks with multimillion-dollar demands.

   What is confirmed

   • The GMO Group urged customers to disconnect their systems from the internet and shut down computers following a breach.
   • GMO Internet offered up to a $1 million reward for information on the hackers.
   • Attackers breached the Onamae Desktop Cloud VPS service and leaked company and customer data.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Hackers demanded a $50 million ransom or a sum of ¥8 billion.

   What to watch next

   • Whether GMO Internet pays the ransom or refuses negotiations
   • Further data leaks from the threat actor targeting account holders
   • Japanese government actions to fortify national cyber defenses
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. www.bleepingcomputer.com — Retail giant Ahold Delhaize takes systems offline after cyberattack - BleepingComputer
   2. Reuters — Japanese companies compensate users as cyberattacks buffet economy
   3. BleepingComputer — Japan's GMO urges customers to shut down PCs amid ransomware threat
   4. WSJ — Japan Vows to Fortify Cyber Defenses as GMO Hack Hits Forex Brokers
   5. The Japan Times — High-stakes standoff between GMO and hacker group escalates with first data leak
   6. Japan Today — GMO Internet offers up to $1 million reward for info on hackers
   7. The Hacker News — Japan's GMO Offers $1 Million Bounty to Catch Hackers Behind FX Trading Cloud Breach
   8. WSJ — AI Hackers Are Attacking the Entire Internet, One CEO Warns
   9. Bloomberg.com — Trading Platform Rocked by Japan Hack, $50 Million Ransom
   10. www.bleepingcomputer.com — Japan's GMO urges customers to shut down PCs amid ransomware ...
   11. cybersecuritynews.com — Japan's GMO Internet Urges Customers to Shut Down PCs After ...
   12. tech.yahoo.com — Japanese internet giant GMO tells customers to shut down and ...
   confidence 95%