VetEnt recovering from cyber attack

VetEnt was affected by the Ransomware scam a few months ago and is still recovering.

Nationwide veterinary company Veterinary Enterprises (VetEnt) is still recovering from a ransomware attack last month which shut down its databases.

''I'm not sure of the figure demanded as a ransom; it was tens of thousands of dollars, but we didn't pay it,''Anita Burton, the company's marketing and media manager said from Te Awamutu.

Ransomware is malicious software that blocks or threatens to destroy a victim's data unless a ransom is paid.

VetEnt's data was not taken, but the malware blocked the company from accessing it.

''We managed to recover data completely and the biggest thing as far as we were concerned was the privacy of our clients. No information was copied or taken and we didn't have to worry about that.''

VetEnt is the country's largest vet company, with clinics in Timaru, Darfield, Ferrymead, Rangiora, Lincoln, Leeston, Rakaia, Mayfield, and Ashburton, as well as other locations around the country.

The company's veterinary services range from livestock to pets.

''We didn't miss a beat - appointments were not missed, though we're still in the process of rebuilding. The systems we used for clients were out for about two days,'' Ms Burton said.

''It was then a matter of using pen and paper and liberal thinking.''

The ransomware attack was first noticed at 11pm on Saturday, September 15 when it caused all of VetEnt's files, email accounts and the customer database to become inaccessible.

Ms Burton said they had no idea from where the attack eventuated.

''There will be an investigation but we are unlikely to find anyone to blame.''

-By Chris Tobin

Central Rural Life