Cyber gang behind N.S. breach says it erased stolen data, but experts urge caution
The ransomware group behind an attack on a file-sharing service that resulted in the theft of personal data from as many as 100,000 Nova Scotians claims it has deleted the stolen information.
A note on the Clop ransomware gang's dark website says it "erased" all the data it stole from governments, cities and police services when it recently hacked the MOVEit file transfer software.
It says, however, that private companies affected by the hack should contact the group by June 14 to discuss a ransom.
Brett Callow, a threat analyst with New Zealand cybersecurity company Emsisoft, says the group's claim to have deleted data belonging to public sector bodies should be assumed to be false.
Callow says in an email today that there is no reason for a criminal enterprise to delete information that may be of value, adding that it could be sold, traded or used for phishing scams.
The Nova Scotia government revealed Tuesday that up to 100,000 past and present public sector workers may have had sensitive personal information stolen in the MOVEit software hack, which affected companies around the globe.
A spokesperson for the provincial Department of Cybersecurity and Digital Solutions says the province will not be communicating with the Clop gang.
"This is a criminal organization," Khalehla Perrault said in an email, adding that it is not trustworthy.
She says anyone who feels they may be affected should monitor their financial transactions and contact their bank to report suspicious activity. The provincial government says it will contact residents whose data was stolen once they are identified.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 7, 2023.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'
Bayer announced Thursday it is recalling two lots of its hydraSense Baby Nasal Care Easydose due to a potential contamination.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.