Hackers Attack PEMEX Again and Threat the NOC

It is believed Hackers behind PEMEX’s cyber-attack last November struck again yesterday, after uploading a site on the Web where they threatened to disclose the NOC’s sensitive information they allegedly have.

The Dopple Leaks site is hosted in the so called “Dark Web” for sites unknown by regular internet users who are linked to search engines such as Google. The web tens to have web pages related to illegal activities, like selling drugs or weapons.

The web page was allegedly created by PEMEX hackers after the Mexican Government rejected to pay the US$5 million (MX$95.4 million) ramson they demanded. Then, the NOC reported that only 3,000 computers of their 60,000 units were affected, without giving more details on the case. For five years PEMEX will not disclose any information related to the hacking arguing national security concerns.

Andrés Velázquez, president of Mattica cybersecurity company, confirmed that PEMEX attackers published the Dopple Leaks site, according to Reforma. The specialist said they were able to confirm the existence of the site, but not the authenticity of the information regarding PEMEX hackers claim to have.

This was the second high-profile cyber-attack on the President López Obrador administration. Early this week the Ministry of Economy (SE) was also hacked, an attack that today is also affecting administrative procedures for tomato exports to the US.

The peak of tomato production and exports from Sinaloa, the county’s main producer, occurs in February and March. SE is responsible for responding to requests sent by producers electronically, so cargo can leave the country and is not waiting long hours at the border.

After the attack that hampered networks and servers belonging to the Ministry's computer systems, the agribusiness sector informed the Foreign Trade office that the product could not wait until the system was restored, since tomatoes are highly perishable. SE had to establish alternate and complementary mail system to continue foreign trade operation.