Saudi Oil Producer’s Computers Restored After Virus Attack

The New York Times: Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil producer, says its network of 30,000 PCs is back online after a cyberattack that occurred August 15. “We would like to emphasize and assure our stakeholders, customers and partners that our core businesses of oil and gas exploration, production and distribution from the wellhead to the distribution network were unaffected and are functioning as reliably as ever,” said Saudi Aramco’s chief executive, Khalid al-Falih.

The company continues to investigate the attack but has confirmed that it “originated from external sources.” A group calling itself “Cutting Sword of Justice” has claimed responsibility and said the cyberattack was in retributions for Saudi Arabia’s “crimes and atrocities.” If the group really was behind the virus, it could be one of the largest successful hacktivist attacks ever.

Saudi Aramco is the world’s largest oil producer.

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