Garmin is the latest big name taken out by ransomware

Ransomware attacks are on the rise, and Garmin is the latest big name to take a hit.

Road warriors using Garmin smartwatches ran into trouble this weekend.

Garmin is the latest big name taken out by ransomware

A hacker group called Evil Corp demanded $10m from the GPS giant in the latest high-profile ransomware attack. The feds have been chasing Evil Corp for months.

Garmin said Garmin Connect, garmin.com, and even its call centers were hit.

On Twitter, runners used #garmindown to let the world know that — despite the lack of fresh data — they did work out.

Ransomware attacks are on the rise

According to ZDNet, ransomware incidents quadrupled between 2018 and 2019, making them more common than credit-card theft. 

Analysts say the pandemic could invite more attacks — remote workers rely on VPNs, which are especially vulnerable.

Having a well-developed cybersecurity system is important for young companies, says John Reed Stark, a former SEC internet enforcement chief. 

“If your goal is to someday be bought or to someday to grow or go public,” he says, “you want to surround yourself with sophisticated people early on when it comes to your biggest problems. You want to have the best to help you.”

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