Two hackers from Vietnam launched a ransomware attack on the Britain-based Hotel Chain owner Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG). And since they were digitally blocked to conduct a file encrypting malware attack, they chose to delete huge amounts of data through a wiper malware.
The couple who claims to be wife and husband and technically named themselves as ‘TeaPea’ reached the BBC via Telegram Messaging app and provided some screenshots proving their hacking claims. And information is out that the hotel chain that operates about 6k+ hotels, including Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and Regent Brands, could take weeks to recover from the attack.
TeaPea claimed in their message to the news resource that they originally planned to launch a ransomware attack. But the on-premises security solutions of the hotel chain prevented them from doing so. And to take vengeance, they installed wiper malware to clean terabytes of info from the database- all for fun……seriously?
Because of the cyber-attack, several guests found several difficulties in online booking of rooms at the hotel chain, resulting in huge losses.
InterContinental Hotels Group’s IT staff were using a weak password Qwerty1234 to secure the database that the couple used it for malicious motives.
Obviously, the law enforcement in association with NCSC, the cyber arm of GCHQ, is busy tracking down the perpetrators and is intending to summon the couple via Interpol.
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