Gang behind huge cyber-attack demands $70m in Bitcoin

The gang behind a "colossal" ransomware attack has demanded $70m (£50.5m) paid in Bitcoin in return for a "universal decryptor" that it says will unlock the files of all victims.

The "supply chain" attack initially targeted Kaseya, before spreading through corporate networks that use its software.

But because Kaseya provides software to managed service providers, firms which themselves provide outsourced IT services to other companies, the number of victims may be much greater.

Kaseya chief executive Fred Voccola told the Associated Press that the number of victims would probably be in the low thousands, made up of small organisations such as dental practices and libraries.

For hundreds, perhaps thousands, of IT teams around the world this ransomware attack is a horrendous headache that is still growing.

Cyber-defenders, both private and public sector, have been issuing alerts while experts work out how best to untangle the web of victims.

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