MGM Resorts International Don't Want To Pay Ransom In Ransomware Attacks

MGM Resort, does not want to bow to ransomware attacks. (photo: twitter @MGMResortsIntl)

The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday 5 October that MGM Resorts International did not want to pay the ransomware attackers who hacked its system last month. The attackers forced the company to shut down systems in some of its hotels and casinos.

Serangan ini membuat banyak orang harus menunggu untuk check-in ke kamar mereka, termasuk Ketua FTC, Lina Kahn, yang berada di Las Vegas, Nevada untuk menghadiri pertemuan tentang pembuntuan antara Kroger dan Albertsons.

MGM said in a press release that hackers managed to access customer data, including names, contact information, date of birth, and SIM numbers, as well as a small number of social insurance numbers, passport numbers, or even both.

The company did not specify how many people were affected by the attack. However, according to reports to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, the data taken by hackers was for "customers who made transactions with the Company before March 2019."

MGM said in its release that it "can't believe" that data thieves stole passwords, bank account numbers, or customer card details. MGM said that the company notified customers via email and would provide free credit monitoring services and protection from identity theft to those affected.

In a SEC report, MGM said its operations in America were back to normal, and "almost all systems dealing with guests have been restored," and hoped the rest would be "recovered in the coming days."

The company also wrote that it spent less than 10 million US dollars (IDR 156.1 billion) on "tech consultation services, legal costs, and costs of other third-party advisors" related to the attack. But the estimated loss is around 100 million US dollars (IDR 1.1 trillion) overall.

The company has set up a special call center at 800-621-9437 for free Monday to Friday from 8 am - 10 pm central time, or Saturday and Sunday from 10 am - 7 pm central time (except for major US holidays).