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Power Electronics Manufacturer Semikron Targeted in Ransomware Attack

German power electronics manufacturer Semikron revealed this week that it has been targeted in a cyberattack.

Semikron, which employs 3,000 people across 24 subsidiaries worldwide, makes power modules and systems. Its products are used in motor drives, industrial automation systems, as well as other application areas.

German power electronics manufacturer Semikron revealed this week that it has been targeted in a cyberattack.

Semikron, which employs 3,000 people across 24 subsidiaries worldwide, makes power modules and systems. Its products are used in motor drives, industrial automation systems, as well as other application areas.

In a notice posted on its website on Monday, Semikron said it had been targeted by ‘a professional hacker group’. The company said the incident resulted in the partial encryption of IT systems and files.

According to Semikron, the hackers claimed to have stolen data from its systems, which the company is currently working to confirm.

No additional information has been shared by the company about the attack itself, but Bleeping Computer reported that the ransomware known as LV appears to have been involved, with the attackers claiming to have stolen 2Tb of files from Semikron systems.

SecurityWeek has checked the Tor-based leak website of the LV ransomware operation, but there is currently no mention of Semikron. We did notice, however, that this is not the first semiconductor company targeted by the hackers.

Semikron has been contacted for confirmation that the incident indeed involved LV ransomware.

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The LV ransomware emerged last year, when researchers said it appeared to be based on the notorious REvil ransomware.

Related: European Missile Maker MBDA Denies Hackers Breached Systems

Related: Foxconn Confirms Ransomware Hit Factory in Mexico

Related: U.S. Semiconductor Maker MaxLinear Discloses Ransomware Attack

Written By

Eduard Kovacs (@EduardKovacs) is a contributing editor at SecurityWeek. He worked as a high school IT teacher for two years before starting a career in journalism as Softpedia’s security news reporter. Eduard holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial informatics and a master’s degree in computer techniques applied in electrical engineering.

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