The business of running a business isn’t always easy. The more unexpected the interruption, the more trying it can be.
Just ask TDC Refrigeration in Alice Springs, a company that has been at the mercy of blackmailing computer hackers based in Croatia.
It is an incident that can only be described as extraordinary (that’s putting it in polite terms).
Of all the commercial challenges a business confronts on a daily basis, dealing with international hackers isn’t exactly the first one that comes to mind.
It sounds like it is more suited to a Hollywood script, not an Australian refrigeration company, but the thousands of dollars the company has lost as a result of this sordid situation is all too real.
According to NT News, TDC Refrigeration was the victim of a “brute force” attack.
Sydney-based IT specialist Matt Cooper of MCIT Consulting flew in to help the company get back on its feet.
Cooper blamed an employee at the company for having a weak password, which allowed the hackers to crack the system and gain access.
When TDC Refrigeration tried to fix the problem, a pop-up box appeared on the computer screen demanding $3000.
The computer’s files were so heavily encrypted that the system had been locked with a 50 character-long password.
The company was told it must pay to make the problem go away.
Desperate to return to business as usual, the company paid the ransom and was given the encryption key to unlock the system.
Police always say it is best not to pay because it only encourages the hackers, but the reality is that these nasty blackmailers often do end up being paid, only because it is the quickest and easiest solution to a very inconvenient problem.
While working as an IT journalist, it didn’t take me long to learn that some of the biggest financial institutions in the world have been victims of these ugly attacks and the truth is, there are occasions when they do pay.
They would never admit to this, of course, but it is one of those unspoken secrets, well known in IT security circles, but never disclosed in open conversation.
When it comes to the HVAC&R industry, there is certainly no shortage of action, especially on an international level.
I am starting to think that this industry is a lot more exciting than I originally thought.
Just check out the shady world of freaky freon Fridays.
It has everything from a global smuggling operation to federal wiretaps and finally, imprisonment.
Closer to home is the story of a chiller controversy gripping the City of Sydney Council.
The council’s master trigeneration plan is an impressive energy efficient strategy
for city residents. However, questions surrounding the use of absorption chillers remain unanswered.
There seems to be no immediate resolution in sight (check our online news section for the story).
The tough economic climate remains. In between the distressed asset sales and the empty-handed creditors, another business has gone into administration – air conditioner hire business Applied Climate Control.
Sadly, 40 staff have been made redundant.
As this year draws to a close, we can start planning for a much brighter 2013. That’s certainly what A-Gas is doing. The company is adapting to the changing market with new products to meet demand with big plans for the new year.
For readers not dealing with international hackers or other high-action business issues, I am hoping you have found the time to subscribe to CCN’s weekly online newsletter at www.climatecontrolnews.com.au
Until next time, let’s try to keep the Hollywood out of HVAC&R.
