Port reacts to Maersk cyber attack

Maersk containers at the Port of Tauranga. File photo/George Novak

A cyber attack on shipping giant Maersk has forced the Port of Tauranga to adapt its systems.

In a Twitter statement yesterday Maersk confirmed several websites and businesses had been infected by the global NotPetya (also known as Petya) malware infection. Email systems were also infected.

In a statement today, the company said it was assessing the situation. In the meantime, some IT systems were shut down, and access to others had been limited.

A 9500-container Maersk vessel visited the Port of Tauranga yesterday and a 5500-container ship was in port today to exchange cargo.

In a statement the Port of Tauranga said it switched to an "alternative method" to communicate with the two Maersk ships that have visited since the hack was confirmed yesterday.

The system change had not caused any delays or downtime and most of the information needed to handle the two vessels would have been exchanged prior to the hack.

"At this point in time it is business as usual at the port and no disruption is expected," commercial manager Leonard Sampson said.

Petya has crippled many organisations in Europe and the United States.

A message on one of Maersk's websites today.

According to the Government's Computer Emergency Response Team, the malware had infected Microsoft Windows devices around the world.

If NotPetya infects a device, it will encrypt the hard drive, demanding a ransom is paid to regain access to the device.

To protect your network, the team recommended you ensure the software on all your devices is fully up date.