Hackers reportedly take down Garmin, demand $10m ransom

Garmin's current global outage was caused by a ransomware attack and sources say hackers want $10m to free the tech giant's data and systems.

Garmin has reportedly been asked to pay a $10m ransom to release its data Source: Supplied

The global outage began Thursday (AEST) and has disrupted not only its call centres, its sport and fitness services (Garmin Connect) but also flyGarmin, its aviation navigation and route-planning system.  

Two anonymous sources told TechCrunch Garmin was trying to restore its network with one of the sources confirming WastedLocker ransomware, operated by hacking group Evil Corp, was to blame. A source told BleepingComputer hackers demanded a $10m ransom, an amount BleepingComputer was not able to independently verify.

However, as TechCrunch detailed, other WastedLocker victims have faced ransom demands of up to $10m which the FBI advises victims against paying.

It is understood WastedLocker ransomware locks user's files but appears to not yet be able to steal or 'exfiltrate' data before encryption. Victims with backups escaped the ransom altogether. 

Although it has not said much since the outage, Garmin has stated on a Q & A page - which Cycling Central saw earlier today was also down but is now restored - it has set up especially for the outage there is “no indication that this outage has affected your data, including activity, payment or other personal information.”