Garmin Connect Hacked and locked out with ransomware
If you like me use your Garmin to record your ride you may have noticed that the service has been down for multiple hours now. I tried to upload a ride yesterday but was informed by Garmin that the service was down for maintenance. Well, this turns out not to be the full story. It turns out that Garmin may have been subject to a particularly unpleasant but becoming more common cyber-attack. The Ransomware attack.
Many press outlets such as the Guardian are reporting the issue as a ransomware hack but Garmin is yet to confirm. We will keep an eye on this issue as the story evolves.
What is ransomware?
Kaspersky cyber defence describes it as such:
Ransomware is malicious software that infects your computer and displays messages demanding a fee to be paid in order for your system to work again. This class of malware is a criminal moneymaking scheme that can be installed through deceptive links in an email message, instant message or website. It has the ability to lock a computer screen or encrypt important, predetermined files with a password.
Dear Garmin Users,
Our servers are currently down for maintenance & it may limit the performances of Garmin Connect Mobile & Website, and Garmin Express. We are trying our best to resolve it asap. We seek your kind understanding & apologise for any inconvenience.
Thank You
— Garmin India (@Garmin_India) July 23, 2020
Garmin Connect Hacked and locked out with ransomware
If you like me use your Garmin to record your ride you may have noticed that the service has been down for multiple hours now. I tried to upload a ride yesterday but was informed by Garmin that the service was down for maintenance. Well, this turns out not to be the full story. It turns out that Garmin has been subject to a particularly unpleasant but becoming more common cyber-attack. The Ransomware attack.
What is ransomware?
Kaspersky cyber defence describes it as such:
Ransomware is malicious software that infects your computer and displays messages demanding a fee to be paid in order for your system to work again. This class of malware is a criminal moneymaking scheme that can be installed through deceptive links in an email message, instant message or website. It has the ability to lock a computer screen or encrypt important, predetermined files with a password.
What can you do in the meantime?
For everyone with a Garmin watch trying to get their recent activities backed up to another service (like Strava):
Plug your watch into your computer, access it like an external drive, go to “Activity”, find the latest “.fit” file(s) and copy to your computer.
— Andrew Martonik (@andrewmartonik) July 23, 2020
It would probably be sensible to update your passwords to ensure you and your other accounts are not compromised.
What do you think of this story? Do you think Garmin has been subject to a cyber attack and ransomware?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or start a thread in our forums.
