Garmin Smartwatch Users Can Not Get Hands On Data
24 July 2020
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Garmin, which makes GPS-enabled fitness trackers and software, is suffering what it has referred to as an "interruption".
According to ZDNet, employees have declared on social networks that the company is the victim of a ransomware attack, but this has not been verified.
Garmin Aviation said its flyGarmin site and mobile app, utilized by pilots, were likewise unavailable.
The business's production line in Taiwan is likewise thought to have actually been affected.
The issues imply that clients are not currently able to log into Garmin Connect to tape-record and analyse their fitness and health data.
And pilots who use flyGarmin can not currently download current aviation databases, which is a legal requirement.
Ransomware is a type of malware. It lets hackers take control of a company's systems and encrypt their information, demanding payment to release it. It is typically sent via a harmful email link to employees.
Garmin has not formally verified the cause of its issues.
In a statement it stated: "We are currently experiencing an outage that affects Garmin.com and Garmin Connect. This outage also affects our call centres and we are presently not able to receive any calls, e-mails or online chats. Garmin are working to fix this concern as rapidly as possible and apologise for the trouble."
Experts say it looks like a significant problem for the firm.
"Garmin's infrastructure has actually suffered an enormous failure, and although the business has not formally confirmed it, the finger of suspicion points highly in the instructions of a ransomware attack," wrote security consultant Graham Cluley.
"The threat isn't just that fitness fanatics may not have the ability to tape-record the number of miles they jogged today. Garmin likewise provides services for aviators and sailors, indicating they might not have the ability to use their trusted apps for weather condition reports or submitting flight plans."
Mr Cluley included that fitness tracker data might be a "bonanza" as it would reveal a user's whole place history.