ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — Computer systems at Riffle Machine Works, a local manufacturer for Kenworth, was held hostage this week after a hacker took control of the company’s computer systems.
According to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the business this week after the IT manager for Riffle Machine reported that a computer hacker had locked the company’s system. The hacker, reports say, left specific instructions for the company to follow to restore their system, including downloading a dark web server and meeting in a chat group with the hacker to discuss their demands.
The employee at Riffle Machine said that the company has not responded to the hacker and believes that they will be bribed for the code to restore the system. In response to the situation, the Ross County Sheriff’s Office referred Riffle management to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office BCI for immediate assistance, and the FBI was subsequently contacted.
The case is currently under federal investigation, and there is no further information about the identity or motives of the hacker at this time. The incident highlights the need for companies to take cyber security seriously and to have measures in place to prevent such attacks from happening. It also serves as a reminder to individuals to be vigilant about their own cybersecurity practices, including using strong passwords and avoiding suspicious emails or websites.