This website collects cookies to deliver better user experience. Cookie Policy
Accept
Sign In
The Wall Street Publication
  • Home
  • Trending
  • U.S
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Markets
    • Personal Finance
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Arts
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Reading: Iowa Grain Cooperative Hit by Cyberattack Linked to Ransomware Group
Share
The Wall Street PublicationThe Wall Street Publication
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • U.S
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Markets
    • Personal Finance
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Arts
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 The Wall Street Publication. All Rights Reserved.
The Wall Street Publication > Blog > Tech > Iowa Grain Cooperative Hit by Cyberattack Linked to Ransomware Group
Tech

Iowa Grain Cooperative Hit by Cyberattack Linked to Ransomware Group

Editorial Board Published September 20, 2021
Share
Iowa Grain Cooperative Hit by Cyberattack Linked to Ransomware Group
SHARE

An Iowa grain co-op said it was hit with a cyberattack that security researchers are linking to newly launched ransomware group BlackMatter, which the researchers said demanded $5.9 million to unlock the organization’s data.

Contents
Newsletter Sign-upWSJ Pro CybersecurityMore Cybersecurity News

Fort Dodge, Iowa-based New Cooperative Inc. said Monday that it took its computer networks down after some of its devices and systems recently were hacked. The organization notified law enforcement and is working with data-security experts to investigate what happened, it said.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have proactively taken our systems offline to contain the threat, and we can confirm it has been successfully contained,” the co-op said in a statement.

New Cooperative is working to transport grain to livestock and poultry farms that rely on it for feed supplies, a person familiar with the matter said. The organization also disabled its soil-mapping platform as a precautionary measure to protect customers from hackers, the person said.


Newsletter Sign-up

WSJ Pro Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity news, analysis and insights from WSJ’s global team of reporters and editors.


The farming service provider is the latest victim in a monthslong surge in cyberattacks against businesses that has pushed the Biden administration to increase security measures and call for an international crackdown on hacking gangs. U.S. officials say they are particularly concerned with attacks on critical infrastructure that could disrupt broader economic sectors or supply chains.

A recently launched ransomware group known as BlackMatter said on its website that it had encrypted New Cooperative’s data and stolen 1,000 gigabytes worth of files, including invoices, research and development documents, and the source code to its soil-mapping technology. The hackers demanded $5.9 million in cryptocurrency by Sept. 25 for a tool to decrypt the data, according to cybersecurity firm Recorded Future, which tracks ransomware attacks but isn’t working with New Cooperative.

New Cooperative warned its attackers in an online chat that they were targeting critical infrastructure and could face a more forceful government response as a result, according to screenshots of the conversation taken by Recorded Future and viewed by WSJ Pro Cybersecurity.

“Do not threaten us, otherwise you will stay without a decryption,” BlackMatter replied, threatening to double the price.

New Cooperative didn’t respond to a request for further comment.

Cybersecurity experts say BlackMatter bears similarities to DarkSide, the group that hacked Colonial Pipeline Co. in May and triggered a six-day shutdown of the largest conduit for gas on the East Coast. DarkSide told associates soon after that it would cease operations, citing the disruption of its computer infrastructure. The Federal Bureau of Investigation later seized a portion of Colonial’s $4.4 million ransom payment.

Cyber researchers say BlackMatter uses similar types of malware and overlapping cryptocurrency wallets with DarkSide, suggesting the hackers may have rebranded under a new name to avoid law-enforcement scrutiny.

The Biden administration has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to prosecute ransomware gangs, many of which work out of formerly Soviet states, and push them to avoid targeting critical infrastructure such as food and agriculture. In June, the meat-processing giant JBS SA paid attackers $11 million after a hack disrupted its computer systems and forced it to temporarily halt operations across the U.S.

More Cybersecurity News

BlackMatter says on its site that it won’t target critical infrastructure such as hospitals, pipelines and power plants. Individuals behind the site didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency declined to comment on the incident. The FBI, which earlier this month warned of ransomware attacks targeting the agriculture sector, said it is aware of the situation but declined to comment further.

Allan Liska, a senior solutions architect at Recorded Future, said BlackMatter’s site suggests it hacked New Cooperative on or before Sept. 18. Regardless of whether the co-op is considered critical infrastructure, he said, attacks on such sectors are likely to draw more pushback.

“That didn’t go so well for DarkSide last time,” Mr. Liska said, referencing the Colonial Pipeline attack.

—Jacob Bunge contributed to this article.

Write to David Uberti at [email protected]

Copyright ©2021 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

TAGGED:Tech NewsWall Street Publication
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Energy Stocks Resist Market’s September Slide Energy Stocks Resist Market’s September Slide
Next Article Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer risk government shutdown to avoid Democrat-only hike in debt ceiling Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer risk government shutdown to avoid Democrat-only hike in debt ceiling

Editor's Pick

New Council of Financial Advisors report finds tariffs not inflicting inflation

New Council of Financial Advisors report finds tariffs not inflicting inflation

Former Trump administration head of financial coverage Tomas Philipson discusses President Trump’s commerce talks with South Korea and Japan, present…

By Editorial Board 4 Min Read
NBA Summer time League takeaways: Warriors rookie Will Richard makes debut vs. Spurs
NBA Summer time League takeaways: Warriors rookie Will Richard makes debut vs. Spurs

Richard makes debut SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors‘ acquisition of their three…

5 Min Read
Moriah Plath Reveals Complete Hair Loss Attributable to Alopecia
Moriah Plath Reveals Complete Hair Loss Attributable to Alopecia

Studying Time: 3 minutes Moriah Plath is clearing the air, as a…

5 Min Read

Oponion

SoftBank Corp. and Intelsat Launch Landmark Collaboration to Create Ubiquitous Community

SoftBank Corp. and Intelsat Launch Landmark Collaboration to Create Ubiquitous Community

SoftBank Corp. and Intelsat signed a groundbreaking collaboration settlement that…

September 17, 2024

San Francisco Unicorns kick off opening week with eyes on creating Bay Space cricket fanbase

SAN JOSE – The San Francisco…

June 9, 2025

Big Pharma Won’t Bail Out Battered Biotech

The stock market might be in…

June 30, 2022

Kristin Cavallari Names Skilled Athlete Thriller Man

Studying Time: 3 minutes Kristin Cavallari…

April 1, 2025

Kenny Chesney Internet Value? Followers Ask Forward of Sphere Residency

What's Kenny Chesney’s internet price? As…

January 16, 2025

You Might Also Like

These Are the Finest Offers We’ve Discovered on Pet Tech for Amazon Prime Day
Tech

These Are the Finest Offers We’ve Discovered on Pet Tech for Amazon Prime Day

Amazon Prime Day is arguably one of the best time of the 12 months to improve your pet's setup for…

17 Min Read
Banish Boredom With These Prime Day Board Recreation Offers
Tech

Banish Boredom With These Prime Day Board Recreation Offers

With summer time holidays nonetheless stretching off into the space, making the most of Prime Day board sport offers or…

13 Min Read
You Don’t Want an iPad, however Do You Need One? Then These Prime Day Apple Offers Are for You
Tech

You Don’t Want an iPad, however Do You Need One? Then These Prime Day Apple Offers Are for You

When you've got one Apple product, you normally have all of them—whether or not that is AirPods, an iPhone, an…

15 Min Read
I Discovered the Finest Magnificence Offers on Amazon Prime Day 2025
Tech

I Discovered the Finest Magnificence Offers on Amazon Prime Day 2025

Amazon Prime Day runs from July 8 to 11, and it’s a feeding frenzy for magnificence steals, so I’m right…

15 Min Read
The Wall Street Publication

About Us

The Wall Street Publication, a distinguished part of the Enspirers News Group, stands as a beacon of excellence in journalism. Committed to delivering unfiltered global news, we pride ourselves on our trusted coverage of Politics, Business, Technology, and more.

Company

  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement

Contact

  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability

Term of Use

  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices

© 2024 The Wall Street Publication. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?