Tag Archives: hacking

Candy Business Hack Spooks Halloween

Business News, Entertainment, Technology, , , , ,
Halloween candy
Gummy worms, candy corn, and other Halloween treats were available in stores despite the October hack of Ferrara Candy.

Ferrara Candy, the Chicago-based candy manufacturer, faced a devastating ransomware hack in October.

The attack on October 9, 2021, just weeks before Halloween, did curtail candy production but did not impact the supply of holiday favorites like candy corn, Nerds, gummy worms, and other sweets.

Ferrara, which makes 85% of the candy corn in the United States, has been making candy for more than 110 years. Founded by Italian immigrant Salvatore Ferrara, the company is the leading non-chocolate provider of seasonal treats.  

Overall, the 2021 Halloween season candy sales, following the pandemic slump, increased by nearly 48%, with sales topping $324 million. Unfortunately, the pandemic also yielded a 300% spike in cyber crimes. Industry experts are urging corporations, businesses, and the general public to take extra precautions to protect their online and real-life operations.

ransomware hacker
Cyber crimes have increased since the onset of the pandemic.

Chicago Law Firms Among Targeted in Russian Hacker Scheme

Business News, , , , , , ,

computer-crime-1233360_640Four of the almost 50 elite law firms targeted by a Russian hacker were from Chicago, it was reported in an alert from Flashpoint, a New York-based computer-threat intelligence company.

The firms were Kirkland & Ellis, Sidley Austin, McDermott Will & Emery and Jenner & Block; all listed on a spreadsheet of potential targets of a cyber break-in into the company’s computer systems.

The leader of the threat is a broker named “Oleras,” living in Ukraine. He has been trying to gain access since January into these law firms’ computer systems by means of hiring hackers. His wish is to find information which will then allow him to trade using insider information.

Flashpoint notified law agencies, but would not comment any further. As of March 4th the FBI has the illegal activity under investigation.