Cyberattack Hits Paris 2024 Olympics Venue and French Museums, Ransom Demanded in Crypto

Hackers have launched a cyberattack on a Paris 2024 Olympics venue and numerous museum shops in France, reportedly demanding a ransom in cryptocurrency.

The attack targeted data processing systems of around 40 French tourist sites, including the Grand Palais museum, which is set to host martial arts and fencing events for the upcoming Olympics.

Details of the Attack

The cybercriminals exploited vulnerabilities in the systems last weekend, enabling them to access sensitive financial data. The identities of the hackers remain unknown, but they have threatened to leak the stolen data unless their ransom demands are met.

The specific cryptocurrency and amount demanded are currently unclear.

French newspaper Le Parisien reported that the French Anti-Cybercrime Brigade (BL2C) is investigating the incident. The Grand Palais has not commented on the situation.

Impact and Response

Despite the breach, Parisian authorities confirmed that the attack has not affected the programming for the Olympic Games. Additionally, the museum shops targeted in the attack remain operational.

Broader Context

Cyberattacks targeting tourist hotspots and demanding ransoms have become increasingly common. Last fall, a ransomware attack on Las Vegas-based casino operator Caesars resulted in a $15 million payout to hackers.

Similarly, in January, prominent museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, faced outages due to cyberattacks targeting their software systems.