Lee Enterprises Ransomware Attack Hits Freelance and Payments Payments

As a suspected ransomware attack on the newspaper publishes Giant Lee Enterprises, entering the second month, Cyberettack also affects payments to freelancers and contractors working for the company, Techcrunch has learned.

The Cyberettack at Lee Enterprises on February 3 caused a large -scale vacation and ongoing disorder in dozens of newspapers in all the United States, including delays in printing versions. Lee confirmed on February 18th that hackers “encrypt critical applications” that affect the company’s functions, including “distribution of products, billing, collections and supplier payments”.

A contractor for a Lee -owned property who asked not to be identified with the fear of retaliation, told TechCrunch that as an external seller, they have not yet been paid for their work a month after Cyberettack.

The person told TechCrunch that Lee Enterprises said he was working on the issue, but that the person has not heard anything from the company from mid -February. The person, who owes thousands of dollars, said the situation is causing stress and uncertainty.

“Lee Enterprises and its subsidiaries work with a different network of suppliers to provide company businesses,” the person said. “This suppliers network includes both businesses and individual independent employees hired to execute a series of services, including the production of Contents Contents,” they added.

The contractor said that no timetable has been estimated when they can expect the seller payment system to work again.

Employed staff is not affected, TechCrunch understands, although a system that Lee Enterprises employees use to deposit refunds for their expenses is still inaccessible, a person familiar with the subject told Techcrunch.

When asked about payments to sellers, freelancers and contractors, Lee Tracy Rouch spokesman could not confirm and will not comment beyond the Regulatory deposit of the company February 18th.

According to this deposition, Lee said Cyberettack was “reasonably likely to have a substantial impact on the financial situation or the results of the company’s work”.

Qilin, a productive ransomware gang known for Cyberettacks, has since received a credit for Cyberettack at Lee Enterprises in a place on the Dark Web Dear site, which is using to launch victims to pay ransom.

Rouch said Lee Enterprises “knows the allegations and is currently investigating”.

Carly Page contributed to the report.