Stryker Restoring Systems After Pro-Iran Hackers Wiped Thousands of Employee Devices
Stryker faces disruption after cyberattack by pro-Iran hackers targeting thousands of employee devices
Kalamazoo: Medical technology company Stryker is working to fix its computers and internal network after hackers wiped thousands of employee devices last month.
The company experienced widespread disruption when a group called Handala attacked on March 11. These pro-Iranian hackers claimed they did this because of a U.S. air strike that killed many children in Iran. They also put their own logo on Stryker’s login pages.
The hackers used a special administrator account to gain access to Stryker’s systems. This account let them control employee computers and phones from far away. They deleted data on tens of thousands of devices, including some personal ones.
Stryker says its medical products that connect to the internet are still safe to use. However, the company cannot process orders, make products, or ship devices right now. Security experts believe the hackers might have broken in using phishing emails or stealer malware that takes passwords.
The company has not said if the hacked account had extra security protections or how the hackers got in. With 56,000 workers worldwide, Stryker operates in over 60 countries and was one of the first major U.S. companies hit in response to tensions with Iran.