Unsplash
The attack has been attributed to the REvil ransomware gang. (File photo) REvil usually sets up anonymous chat rooms through the Tor server, through which they deliver threats and demand ransom payments, which often increase the longer companies or organisations do not pay. Callow said it was unlikely that a state or security agency had disabled the portal as a means of stopping hackers being able to talk to their victims. “REvil may have intentionally disabled access, or they may have made a coding mistake. It’s impossible to say,” he said. “But REvil is uncontactable.” The issue would be a problem for any victims trying to negotiate or pay, with there being a cost for every hour companies or organisations were unable to access their systems, Callow said.