IKEA Launches Investigation Into Reply-Chain Email-Based Cyber Attack

Furniture World News Desk on 12/3/2021

IKEA  recently confirmed it is dealing with a cyber attack on its systems, with evidence indicating its Microsoft Exchange servers may be compromised according to a news release posted by BleepingComputer.com.

Recent compromised internal Microsoft Exchange servers allowed the cyber attack to use stolen reply chain emails in a phishing attempt to install trojan viruses on computers.

With supply chain emails, the hackers can send an email to an employee that looked like it was a reply from a previous email chain that the employee had with another coworker. These new phishing emails included links to a compromised excel document that would install trojans onto the employees' computer. These trojans could be used to save log in credentials and use them in a malicious attempt to access Ikea internal servers. According to bleeping computer, the "trojans both lead to further network compromise and ultimately the deployment of ransomware on a breached network. These emails are also being sent from other compromised IKEA organizations and business partners."

Ikea is launching a full-scale investigation, and has warned employees to be extremely cautious when clicking links in emails, whether they come from employees or other IKEA partners. So far no customer data has been stolen.

To read more on more details about the cyber attack, read the full news release at https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ikea-email-systems-hit-by-ongoing-cyberattack/.

About BleepingComputer.com
Bleeping Computer® is an information security and technology news publication created in 2004 by Lawrence Abrams. Millions of visitors come to BleepingComputer.com every month to learn about the latest security threats, technology news, ways to stay protected online, and how to use their computers more efficiently. For more information, visit bleepingcomputer.com.

About IKEA
At IKEA, the vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people by offering well-designed, functional and affordable, high-quality home furnishing, produced with care for people and the environment. Ingka Group (Ingka Holding B.V. and its controlled entities) is one of 12 different groups of companies that own and operate IKEA retail under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. Ingka Group has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centres. Ingka Group is a strategic partner in the IKEA franchise system, operating 389 IKEA stores in 32 countries – including 52 retail locations in the U.S. For more information, visit IKEA-USA.com.