About 200 US businesses have been hit by a “colossal” cyber-attack, according to Huntress Labs, a cyber-security firm. Huntress Labs said the ransomware attack targeted Florida-based IT company Kaseya before spreading through corporate networks that use its software.
In a statement on its own website, Kaseya said that it was investigating a “potential attack”. Huntress Labs said it believed the Russia-linked REvil ransomware gang was responsible for the latest attack. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency said in a statement that it was taking action to address the attack. The cyber-attack emerged on Friday afternoon as companies across the United States were clocking off for the long Independence Day weekend. The US cybersecurity agency said it was investigating the attack after an incident at the Miami-based IT firm Kaseya. The U.S. Cyber Security and Infrastructure Agency, a federal agency, said in a statement it was taking action to deal with the attack. The cyber breach emerged on Friday afternoon as businesses across the United States prepared for the Independence Day long weekend.
Kaseya said in its statement that a “small number” of companies had been affected, though Huntress Labs said the number is already about 200 and counting. It is not clear what specific companies have been affected – a Kaseya representative contacted by the BBC declined to give details. Kaseya’s website says it has a presence in over 10 countries and more than 10,000 customers.
