CHICAGO - Since last Friday, Illinois Review has been crippled and readers frustrated by a cyber attack on its web host TypePad. TypePad reports it is working with the FBI to correct the situation and re-establish the security of its platform.
An update Monday afternoon on TechCrunch.com reported that TypePad received a "ransom" note from a cyber hacker. The hackers' modus operandi is to knock the victim’s site offline using a flood of traffic, then refusing to stop the barrage until the victim company pays a small amount of “ransom.”
The initial amount is usually fairly insignificant, but once the victim agrees, it tends to go up, as they’ve now confirmed themselves as an easy mark.
SAY Media [which owns TypePad] has responded that they received a 'ransom' note which didn’t specify an amount. The company ignored the note and focused instead on mitigating the attack.
“We’ve made excellent progress this morning, but still have some customers impacted and we’ll keep you posted when there’s more news to share,” a spokesperson said.
After the site was active for 12 hours overnight, early Tuesday morning the problems seemed back in full force.
Illinois Review will be updating on its Facebook account until the problems with TypePad are ironed out.
Thank you for your patience.
