Elden Ring publisher Bandai Namco reportedly targeted in a ransomware attack

Elden Ring publisher Bandai Namco has reportedly fallen victim to a ransomware attack.

According to vx-underground, which bills itself as the largest collection of malware source code, samples, and papers on the internet, the ALPHV ransomware group claims to have ransomed Bandai Namco.

“ALPHV ransomware group (alternatively referred to as BlackCat ransomware group) claims to have ransomed Bandai Namco,” vx-underground tweeted on Monday.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software used by cybercriminals to extort money from victims. Perpetrators will often block the victim’s access to their own data by encrypting their files and threatening to release them publicly unless a ransom is paid.

Bandai Namco is the Japanese games publisher known for the Pac-Man, Tekken and Dark Souls series, among others.

VGC has contacted Bandai Namco for comment on this report.

Cyberpunk and Witcher studio CD Projekt Red suffered a ransomware attack last year, reportedly at the hands of a group called HelloKitty.

Data stolen from the company was reportedly leaked online in June 2021, including the source code for Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3, and possibly employee details too.

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Data breach also included the source code for Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3

Electronic Arts also suffered a significant data breach last year in which hackers stole the source code for FIFA 21 and the company’s Frostbite engine.

In March, seven people were arrested in connection with the hacking group Lapsus$, which had claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on tech companies including Microsoft, Nvidia, Ubisoft, Samsung and Vodaphone.