Travelex currency exchange is offline following a malware attack
It seems bitcoin has come out swinging against fiat currency — as one of the world’s largest fiat currency exchanges is offline due to a software virus. UK currency exchange site Travelex may be subject to ransom demands to get back online and protect its customers’ data; the attackers are demanding a six-figure ransom to be paid in bitcoin, according to Computer Weekly.
Travelex took its sites offline after a hack apparently compromised some of its services, according to a statement on its US website. The site is being held hostage by ransomware, with attackers seeking about $3 million, according to The Guardian.
The company first discovered the virus on New Year’s Eve, Travelex said in its statement. According to the company, there’s no indication personal or customer data had been compromised in the incident. “The company’s network of branches continues to provide foreign exchange services manually,” the statement said.
