Ransomware virus hits Renault and Nissan

Online hackers have attacked Renault-Nissan, affecting production at Nissan's Sunderland factory. The attacks are supposedly by the same group that attacked UK’s National Health Services (NHS) this week. According to the BBC, Renault is the first French company to be affected by the ransomware cyber attack. The virus steals and encrypts files and documents and holds the owner ‘ransom’ demanding a fee of $300 (around ₹19,200 aprox) to decrypt them. A total of around 75,000 systems in 99 countries are believed to have been affected.

A Renault UK spokesman said, "Groupe Renault confirms it was impacted by the global cyber attack that began late on May 12. It consists of a ransomware virus. Proactive measures were taken immediately in order to stop the spread of the virus and protect the group. A full diagnosis is in progress in order to put in place the appropriate solutions to resume operations."

"Like many organisations our plant was subject to a ransomware attack affecting some of our systems on Friday evening," said a spokesman. "We are working to resolve the issue."

Most affected organisations so far have been state owned - Renault is part-owned by the French government. It's unknown who is behind this massive global attack, but Europol is currently investigating the matter.