Bandai Namco, a popular publisher of video game titles like Elden Ring, has announced on that it has been hacked by ransomware group, ALPHV.
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files on a device, causing any files and systems relying on said files to be unusable. In order to retrieve the files, the hackers demand money. Hence, the “ransom” in the name.
In a statement made to VCG, Bandai Namco said today: “On July 3, 2022, Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. confirmed that it experienced an unauthorized access by third party to the internal systems of several Group companies in Asian regions (excluding Japan). After we confirmed the unauthorized access, we have taken measures such as blocking access to the servers to prevent the damage from spreading.”
Bandai Namco also stated that there is a chance “that customer information related to the Toys and Hobby Business in Asian regions (excluding Japan) was included in the servers and PCs and we are currently identifying the status about existence of leakage, scope of the damage, and investigating the cause.”
Bandai offered up apologies and said that it is looking into strengthening its security in order to prevent a similar event from happening again in the future.
This would not be the first time a major company has been hit by a cyberattack in recent years.
The confirmation by Bandai Namco comes after a report by VCG that a group successfully infiltrated Bandai in reference to a tweet by vx-underground.
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Zainah Yousef
Zainah Yousef is the author of The Fallen Age Saga and specializes in gaming, social media advice, and reviews. She's been writing all her life and she probably won't stop anytime soon.
