(ANSA-AFP) - BRUSSELS, FEB 3 - Major oil terminals in some of
Western Europe's biggest ports have fallen victim to a
cyberattack at a time when energy prices are already soaring,
sources confirmed on Thursday. Belgian prosecutors have launched
an investigation into the hacking of oil facilities in the
country's maritime entryways, including Antwerp, Europe's second
biggest port after Rotterdam. In Germany, prosecutors said they
were investigating a cyberattack targeting oil facilities in
what was described as a possible ransomware strike, in which
hackers demand money to reopen hijacked networks. Oil prices hit
a seven-year high last month amid diplomatic tensions with gas
supplier Russia, and energy bills are fuelling a rise in
inflation that has spooked European policymakers. According to a
specialised broker, the alleged hacking is affecting several
European ports and is disrupting the unloading of barges in this
already strained market. (ANSA-AFP).
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