Lee Enterprises Ransomware Attack hits freelance payments and contractor

As a break from a suspect Ransomware The attack on the giant for publishing Lee Enterprises extends in its second month, Cyberattack also affects the payments of freelancers and performers working for the company, TechCrunch has learned.

The Cyberattack on Lee Enterprises on February 3 They also caused broad interruptions and continuing interruptions of dozens of newspapers in the United States, including delay in print publications. Lee Confirmed on 18 February that the hackers “encrypted critical applications” affecting the company’s operations, including its “distribution of products, billing, collections and payments to suppliers.”

A Lee ownership contractor who asked not to be identified by fears of revenge, told TechCrunch that as an external supplier, they were not yet paid for their work a month after the cyber.

The person told TechCrunch that Lee Enterprises said he was working on the matter, but the man had not heard anything from the company since mid -February. The person to whom thousands of dollars are due said the situation caused anxiety and insecurity.

“Lee Enterprises and its subsidiaries work with a diverse network of suppliers to provide services for company operations,” the person says. “This network of suppliers includes both business and freelance workers who have been hired to provide a number of services, including editorial content,” they added.

The contractor stated that they did not have an estimated timeline for this when they could expect the supplier payment system to run again.

Payment staff is not affected, TechCrunch understands, although a system that Lee Enterprises employees use to bring reimbursement for their expenses

When asked about payments to suppliers, freelancers and contractors, Lee Tracy’s spokesman could not confirm and would not comment beyond Regulatory submission of the company On February 18th.

According to to this submissionLee said the cyberattack was “wisely likely to have a significant impact on the financial position of the company or the results of the operations.”

Qilin, a fruitful band for ransom Known for destructive cyberattacksSince then, he has taken a loan for Cyberattack in Lee Enterprises in a publication of his Dark Web Teak, which he uses to blackmail victims to pay ransom.

The ruch said Lee Enterprises is “aware of the allegations and is currently investigating them.”

Carly Page has contributed to reporting.