US Planemaker Boeing Purportedly Hit by WannaCry Ransomware

However, Boeing has maintained that the media reports on the disruptions were “overstated and inaccurate”.

Image used for representational purposes. 

(Photo Courtesy: Boeing)

US planemaker Boeing Co has been hit by a malware attack, with some of its executives reportedly indicating that the infamous WannaCry virus is behind the attack.

According to a report by The New York Times, an internal memo shared by a chief engineer of the company, expressed concern that the attack may spread to Boeing's production systems and airline software.

We are on a call with just about every VP in Boeing.

Mike VanderWel, Chief Engineer, Boeing Commercial Airplane production engineering

However, the company has maintained that it has "detected a limited intrusion of malware" that has affected "a small number of systems", adding that the media reports on the disruptions were "overstated and inaccurate".

A number of articles on a malware disruption are overstated and inaccurate.

Boeing statement

Linda Mills, Vice-President of Boeing commercial airplanes communications, said "remediations were applied" and the intrusion would not impact production or deliveries, reported Reuters.

Notably, the WannaCry ransomware had wreaked havoc through Windows PCs across the world, last year.

WannaCry is a "ransomware" that locks up the files on your computer and encrypts them in a way that you cannot access them anymore. The malware then demands a payment, usually in virtual currency Bitcoin, for the user to regain access.