Hackers Target Iowa Co-op In $5.9M Ransomware Attack

FORT DODGE, IA — A Russian cybercrime group is demanding $5.9 million from an Iowa-based farmer cooperative after targeting the company's computer systems responsible for keeping food supply chains and feeding schedules on track for millions of cows, chickens and pigs.

Hacking group BlackMatter has threatened to publish a terabyte of data stolen from New Cooperative if it doesn't receive the ransom payment in cryptocurrency by Sept. 25. The stolen information includes invoices, research and development documents, and the source code to the co-op's soil-mapping technology, The Washington Post reported.

The attack follows a similar one carried out in June when Russian cybercrime cell REvil carried out a ransomware attack on JBS, the world's largest meat producer. The company eventually paid the $11 million ransom.