Ransomware Attack Hits British Library, Causing Major Outage

The British Library, one of the globe's premier repositories of knowledge, revealed that it fell victim to a ransomware attack on Oct. 28.

The aftermath has plunged the institution into a technological quagmire, with a full recovery expected to take weeks, if not months.

British Library Under Attack by Ransomware Operators

According to Infosecurity, the cyber incident severely impacted operations at the library's primary London facility and a secondary location in Yorkshire. Not only were phone lines disrupted, but on-site services were also crippled. Furthermore, the attack jeopardized access to digital collections, the official website, and the digital catalog.

In a recent update, the British Library disclosed that the assailants behind the attack were a group notorious for engaging in criminal activities, specifically ransomware attacks.

The national library of the UK is actively implementing targeted protective measures and conducting digital forensics to fortify its cybersecurity defenses.

Ongoing Disruptions and Recovery Timeline

The repercussions of the cyber onslaught persist, affecting the website, online systems, services, and on-site amenities like Wi-Fi. The library anticipates restoring numerous services in the coming weeks, acknowledging that some disruptions might endure for an extended period.

What's more, the library's primary website remains inaccessible, along with digital services provided through its Business & IP Centre (BIPC). Additionally, items slated for delivery post-October 28 are currently unavailable. The library can only issue temporary reader passes and support limited manual collection item ordering via paper forms and a printed catalog.

"The British Library is experiencing a major technology outage, as a result of a cyber incident. This is affecting online systems and services, our website, and onsite services including our Reading Rooms," a spokesperson said in an interview with BleepingComputer.

Data Breach Concerns Linger

As the recovery unfolds, the library has yet to confirm whether the attackers accessed and stole data during the breach. Recent incidents, such as the Black Basta breach at the Toronto Public Library, pinpoints the dual threat of data theft alongside system encryption in ransomware attacks.

Cybersecurity experts stress the importance of vigilance, as hackers often leverage stolen data as a bargaining chip if ransom negotiations falter.

This month, the notorious group of LockBit ransomware hackers reportedly exposed 43GB of files after Boeing did not comply with its demand. The aerospace company failed to pay the asked ransom.

As previous reports said, Boeing ignored the warnings from the gang. The stolen files were at risk of being used in malicious activities.

In early October, Wazawaka whose real name is Mikhail Matveev, was included under FBI's most wanted list.

Based on the investigation, the authorities offer $10 million to anyone who can point Matveev's location and lead to his arrest.

The Russian hacker claims that his life has not changed since he was placed under the FBI's watch. However, this is not enough to shake him even if US sanctions are coming next to him.