Biman’s email server hacked for 5 days

Staff Reporter :
Hackers took control of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ email server, which was hacked five days ago through the use of ransomware, a type of malware that can take over the control of a computer or a server.
Now the hackers threatened the Biman authority to leak Biman server’s business-related information if their ransom demand is paid within 10 days.
Meanwhile, airline’s domestic and foreign communications has been stopped as the Biman authority yet to recover the server from hackers.
A probe body has been formed to investigate Biman’s email server going down following a ransomware attack, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali said on Wednesday.
“I have already spoken with the Managing Director of the national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Measures are underway in this regard,” he said while addressing the press during an event in a city hotel.
Asked if any sensitive data or information were stolen in the attack, the State Minister said, “Things are yet to be known but I have spoken with the authorities concerned”.
He, however, did not disclose any information regarding the members of the committee or the tasks they were given.
Even the State Minister also did not say whether the hackers were local or foreign.
According to multiple sources of Biman, there is a risk of information being leaked as the officials use Biman’s mailing system for correspondence regarding internal purchases, scheduling and billing.
Biman officials said that the hackers threatened to leak all the information unless a huge sum of money is paid. Biman is likely to face major business losses if the information leaks, sources added.
Biman officials said the hackers set a 10-day deadline for the ransom to be paid.
They threatened to leak all the information in their hands if the payment is not made.
However, Biman’s flight operation was unharmed in the attack. Biman Bangladesh Airline’s email server was hacked in a ransomware attack on 17 March.
The hackers demanded a ransom when people tried to log in or open a file on the server.