FBI charges two men in ransomware attack that hit Calgary university
CALGARY — The FBI says it has charged two men in Iran as part of an investigation into cyberattacks that targeted the University of Calgary and computer networks in the United States.
The university paid a ransom of $20,000 after the 2016 attack to preserve an option to restore critical research data.
The FBI says “SamSam” ransomware infiltrated computer networks in Atlanta, San Diego and Newark, N.J., as well as major health-care providers, the University of Calgary and others.
Investigators allege the malware encrypted data and files, and the suspects demanded payment to restore access to affected systems in what the FBI calls “21st-century blackmail.”
The agency estimates the cyberattacks caused $30 billion in damage to public and private institutions and that $6 million in ransom payments were extorted.
Linda Dalgetty, vice-president of the University of Calgary, says the administration is grateful that charges have been laid.
“The University of Calgary would like to thank the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Calgary Police Service, and all co-operating law enforcement agencies for their diligence and perseverance in investigating this matter,” she said Wednesday in a release.
“We are thankful that law enforcement agencies take such criminal acts very seriously and were able to locate the perpetrators and issue arrest warrants.”
Faramarz Savandi and Mohammad Mansouri are each charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, intentional damage to a protected computer and transmitting a demand to damage a protected computer.