Attackers infected radio giant Entercom with ransomware and demanded ransom payment of $500,000

• The infection spread through other internal digital systems including email systems, music scheduling, production, billing, and shared network drives.
• This incident has forced some radio stations to complete music logs manually and run without commercials.

What’s the matter?

Philadelphia-based broadcasting company Entercom Communications has been hit with a ransomware attack. Attackers infected Entercom’s computer network and demanded a payment of $500,000 to unlock the impacted systems.

A look at where things stand

Attackers initially infected a hacked machine in programming with ransomware. The infection spread through other internal digital systems including email systems, music scheduling, production, billing, and shared network drives.

• This incident has forced some radio stations to complete music logs manually and run without commercials.
• The attack has caused disruptions in email services and internet connectivity.
• Printers that were added to employees’ workstations using the print server ‘MABOSPRINT’ are unavailable.
• Company staffs are asked not to connect company laptops to the wired network.

However, playout systems were locked down allowing the radio stations to continue broadcasting without disruptions. Similarly, computer systems that are not connected to the Active Directory are operational.

Sources close to the situation

Sources close to Entercom has reported that the broadcasting company will not pay the ransom amount to unlock the encrypted systems.

“We are experiencing a disruption of some IT systems, including email. We apologize for any inconvenience and are working around the clock to resolve this issue.” Entercom told RadioInk in a statement.