The Managing Director of a company h eld to ransom Attack.Ransom by hackers has warned other bosses to protect themselves against cyber crooks − or run the risk of web sharks crippling their businesses . Stuart Kettell − owner of audio-visual specialist Kettell Video Productions − was targeted by tech scammers who infiltrated his firm ’ s IT systems with malware that infected its network of files . They d emanded Attack.Ransom £1,000 initially in Bitcoins to decrypt the malicious software − and warned that failure to p ay Attack.Ransom would render the files permanently inaccessible . Thankfully Stuart routinely backs-up all company systems − and even backs up the back-ups − so survived the online attack relatively unscathed . But he ’ s warned that without the archive of replicas his entire business could have collapsed . He said : “ I noticed all my photos , videos and pdf files ghosting to white with a new filename…it attacked my desktop first then it wormed its way into folders one file at a time every few seconds . “ I ’ ve no idea how the malware was introduced as we use software that ’ s designed to prevent against such attacks . And t he demand for payment Attack.Ransom seemed very professional : I was given links where I could buy Bitcoins and even offered the chance to decrypt one file for free ! “ I unplugged my computer , isolated it from the internet , and ran some anti-malware software to stop the virus spreading further . “ It was scary : I had no idea about cyber-attacks before and really didn ’ t know what to do . Critical files , including images and videos for clients , were wiped out along with a lifetime of personal memories . “ The affected files were lost for good − the only way to recover them was with the key code held by the blackmailer − but luckily I back-up everything to an external data cartridge . In the end it was more an inconvenience…but it could have threatened the business . “ I would strongly urge all business owners to back-up their essential files . '' Sergeant Gary Sirrell from the cybercrime team at West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit said commercial web attacks are increasingly being committed against smaller firms and not big multi-nationals . He explained : “ Small and medium sized companies are easier targets : they often don ’ t have the resources or expertise to protect against cyberattacks . And if they are targeted , the impact can be devastating . “ But there are steps business owners can take to mitigate the risk . A really effective tactic involves ‘ layering ’ defences to include a firewall , anti-malware software , staff training and regular re-training ) around phishing email awareness , and finally to p lug Vulnerability-related.PatchVulnerability any holes in your defences by u pdating Vulnerability-related.PatchVulnerability software patches and updates in a timely manner . “ By exercising good cyber hygiene , and having a strong backup policy , Stuart avoided the dilemma of whether to see his business significantly damaged , or to have to hand over a ransom Attack.Ransom to organised crime gangs to get his data unlocked . “ If more businesses in the West Midlands proactively took such steps there would be significantly fewer crimes victims . ''

A hacker or group of hackers is apparently trying to e xtort Attack.Ransom Apple over alleged access to a large cache of iCloud and other Apple email accounts . The hackers , who identified themselves as 'Turkish Crime Family ' , d emanded Attack.Ransom $ 75,000 in Bitcoin or Ethereum , another increasingly popular crypto-currency , or $ 100,000 worth of iTunes gift cards in exchange for deleting the alleged cache of data . `` I just want my money and thought this would be an interesting report that a lot of Apple customers would be interested in reading and hearing , '' one of the hackers told Motherboard . The hackers provided screenshots of alleged emails between the group and members of Apple 's security team . One also gave Motherboard access to an email account allegedly used to communicate with Apple . `` Are you willing to share a sample of the data set ? '' an unnamed member of Apple 's security team wrote to the hackers a week ago , according to one of the emails stored in the account . The hackers also uploaded a YouTube video of them allegedly logging into some of the stolen accounts . The hacker appears to a ccess Attack.Databreach an elderly woman 's iCloud account , which includes backed-up photos , and the ability to remotely wipe the device . `` We firstly kindly request you to remove the video that you have uploaded on your YouTube channel as it 's seeking unwanted attention , second of all we would like you to know that we do not reward cyber criminals for breaking the law , '' a message allegedly from a member of Apple 's security team reads . The alleged Apple team member then says archived communications with the hacker will be sent to the authorities . According to one of the emails in the accessed account , the hackers claim to h ave access Attack.Databreach to over 300 million Apple email accounts , including those use @ icloud and @ me domains . However , the hackers appear to be inconsistent in their story ; one of the hackers then claimed they had 559 million accounts in all . The hackers did not provide Motherboard with any of the supposedly stolen iCloud accounts to verify this claim , except those shown in the video . By reading other emails included in the account , it appears the hackers have approached multiple media outlets . This may be in an attempt to put pressure on Apple ; hackers sometimes feed information to reporters in order to help e xtortion efforts. Attack.Ransom After the publication of this article , an Apple spokesperson told Motherboard in an email , `` There have not b een any breaches Attack.Databreach in any of Apple 's systems including iCloud and Apple ID . The alleged list of email addresses and passwords appears to h ave been obtained Attack.Databreach from p reviously compromised Attack.Databreach third-party services .