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Group claiming hacking of CDK systems demands millions of dollars, reports Bloomberg News
A group of hackers claiming responsibility for a cyber attack on CDK software systems demanded millions of dollars in ransom to put an end to the hack, which affected car dealers in the United States, Bloomberg News reported on Friday.
The group behind the attack is believed to be based in Eastern Europe, according to the report, which cited people familiar with the matter.
The automotive retail technology and software provider planned to pay the ransom, Bloomberg News reported.
CDK, which provides software for car dealerships, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
US auto retailers Sonic Automotive It is Penske Automotive signaled an impact on its operations on Friday as CDK experienced a third consecutive day of outage.
In an emailed statement, Ford said there has been an industry-wide system outage for dealers using CDK.
“However, many Ford and Lincoln customers are able to receive sales and service support due to alternative processes available to our dealers,” Ford said.
Sonic said its dealerships were open and it was working to minimize disruption. The company said it was unable to determine whether the outage would affect its financial situation, but that it had a “negative impact” on its operations.
Penske said its Premier Truck Group business, which sells new and used commercial trucks, also uses CDK’s discontinued dealer management system.
“Premier Truck Group has implemented its business continuity response plans and continues to operate at all locations through manual or alternative processes,” Penske said.
The commercial truck dealership business has lower unit volumes than Penske’s automotive dealership business, which does not rely on CDK software.
Separately, Kia America told Reuters it was working with affected dealers to reduce the impact of the disruption and continue “business as usual.”
CDK on its website states that it works with more than 15,000 retail locations in North America.