Hackers Threaten to Leak New Apple Logo if Ransom Isn’t Paid

Last week, it was reported that the REvil ransomware group is attempting to extort Apple. The hackers claim to have obtained confidential Apple product data after breaching the Taiwanese company Quanta Computer. Quanta is the world’s largest laptop manufacturer and one of the few companies assembling Apple products based on provided designs and schematics, including the Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro.

After Quanta Computer refused to pay the hackers, the REvil operators began publishing Apple product schematics and blueprints on their website. It appears the hackers decided that targeting one of Quanta’s main clients, Apple, could be even more profitable. According to media reports, the hackers demanded $50 million from Apple by April 27, or $100 million after that date.

In total, 21 screenshots of MacBook schematics were posted on the hackers’ site, and they promised to release new data every day until Apple or Quanta Computer agreed to pay the ransom. “We recommend that Apple buy back the data we have by May 1,” the criminals threatened.

Negotiations and New Threats

According to Bleeping Computer, in a new private chat created for negotiations between REvil and Quanta Computer, the hackers stated that they had hidden the data leak page and stopped communicating with the press to continue negotiations. REvil representatives claimed that by starting a dialogue, the company “can expect a good discount”: the ransom would be reduced from $50 million to $20 million, and the payment deadline extended to May 7, 2021.

The hackers also warned that if they did not receive a response, they would soon begin publishing blueprints for a new iPad and sketches of new Apple logos.

Journalists report that, according to their sources, Quanta Computer has not responded to this “generous offer.”