https://www.engadget.com/ransomware-attack-kronos-payroll-143658396.html
Ransomware attack hits major payroll company right before Christmas | Engadget
Major payroll provider Kronos has been hit with a ransomware attack, jeopardizing paychecks right before Christmas..
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Ransomware has been a recurring problem throughout 2021, and the latest attack could be particularly severe for some workers. NBC News reports workforce management heavyweight Kronos has suffered a ransomware attack that could affect its ability to handle hours and payroll at well-known companies like GameStop, Honda and Whole Foods. With many final pre-Christmas paychecks slated to arrive this week, there's a concern some employees might not get paid in a timely fashion when they need it most.
Kronos reported the attack on December 11th, but it wasn't until December 13th the company warned it might take "several weeks" to fully restore functionality. The company didn't identify the perpetrators. It also couldn't completely rule out a connection to the recent Log4j vulnerability, but went through "rapid patching" and supply chain checks to make sure its systems weren't susceptible.
It's not clear how soon hours and payroll functionality might come back. In the meantime, though, companies have had to scramble to find alternatives. Whole Foods told NBC it had found a way to pay staff this week, but Honda only said it was "taking steps" to mitigate any problems. One anonymous Whole Foods worker said teammates had been asked to rely on paper punch sheets and handwritten schedules.
The Kronos incident illustrates the sheer breadth of ransomware victims in recent months, including a meat supplier and a key oil pipeline operator. It also underscores the fragility of modern workplace technology. While a payroll company might not be considered critical infrastructure like food or fuel providers, a cyberattack against it can still deal significant economic damage.
perpetrator
noun
a person who carries out a harmful, illegal, or immoral act: the perpetrators of this horrific crime must be brought to justice.
susceptible
adjective
1 likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing: patients with liver disease may be susceptible to infection.
• (of a person) easily influenced by feelings or emotions; sensitive: they only do it to tease him—he's too susceptible.
2 [predicative ] (susceptible of) capable or admitting of: the problem is not susceptible of a simple solution.
mitigate
verb [with object ]
make less severe, serious, or painful: he wanted to mitigate misery in the world.
• lessen the gravity of (an offense or mistake): there had been a provocation that mitigated the offense to a degree.
sheer
adjective
1 [attributive ] nothing other than; unmitigated (used for emphasis): she giggled with sheer delight | marriage is sheer hard work.
2 (especially of a cliff or wall) perpendicular or nearly so: the sheer ice walls.
3 (of a fabric) very thin; diaphanous: sheer white silk chiffon.
breadth
noun
the distance or measurement from side to side of something; width: the boat measured 27 feet in breadth | a black sweater outlined the breadth of his shoulders | we traveled the length and breadth of India.
• wide range or extent: she has the advantage of breadth of experience | there is a greater breadth of sound in the later recordings.
• dated a piece of cloth of standard or full width.
• overall unity of artistic effect: these masterpieces showed a new breadth of handling.