Manchester United cyberattack highlights controversy in paying ransomware attackers

Manchester United, an English Premier League stalwart and a football club with a huge worldwide fanbase, has been targeted by a cyberattack. Now, Man U may be facing a no-win scenario.

Reports suggest a ransomware attack, launched Nov. 20, 2020, is believed to involve the compromise of personally identifiable information (PII) and/or mission-critical information assets. These mission-critical assets, as yet unconfirmed, could be anything from business plans to highly competitive player transfer targets.

The club has claimed that customer information is not believed to be at risk in the attack.

Man U is one of the most popular and most profitable soccer clubs in the world, and the Red Devils are likely caught between a rock and a hard place. Should they pay the ransom, or should they sit tight? The decision is anything but simple, and both choices likely come with consequences.

Ransomware attacks have been around for decades, growing increasingly common in recent years. They have been especially prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many organizations failed to adequately secure data and systems when remote working became the universal norm earlier in 2020.

To read the complete article, visit Dark Reading.