Ransomware

4 photos · 2023

4 photographs tagged Ransomware, 2023.

Slot machines at the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas are offline due to a ransomware attack on MGM Resorts International, September 15, 2023. — Slot machines at the Bellagio resort in Las Vegas display error messages on September 15th, 2023. This outage occurred following a public announcement of a ransomware attack that affected MGM Resorts International properties, including the Bellagio. The attack disrupted operations and impacted the gaming floor, highlighting the vulnerability of large-scale entertainment venues to cyber threats. The Bellagio, known for its luxury and elaborate design, is a prominent fixture on the Las Vegas Strip, and such disruptions underscore the reliance of modern casinos on digital infrastructure.

Printed notice on a Las Vegas slot machine explaining service outages during the 2023 MGM Resorts cyberattack. — MGM Resorts International operates several Las Vegas Strip properties, including Bellagio, MGM Grand, and Aria, under one shared network of casino management systems. In September 2023, the company disclosed a cyberattack that disrupted slot machines, ATMs, hotel key cards, and reservation systems across its properties for roughly ten days. MGM later attributed the breach to the hacking group Scattered Spider and estimated the incident cost the company about $100 million. During the outage, guests were directed to casino cashiers for ticket redemptions that machines could no longer process automatically.

Aristocrat Gaming slot machine displays a validation buffer error message at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. — The Bellagio is one of ten Las Vegas properties owned by MGM Resorts International. On September 11, 2023, MGM Resorts confirmed a cybersecurity incident that forced the company to shut down portions of its computer systems, including hotel reservations, digital room keys, and slot machine networks, across its properties. The outage lasted roughly ten days and was later attributed to a ransomware group known as Scattered Spider, which used social engineering tactics to gain access to MGM's network. MGM estimated the attack cost the company about $100 million in lost revenue and remediation expenses. This Aristocrat Gaming machine displayed a "Host Disable - Validation Buffer Full" error, a symptom of the network validation system being taken offline during the outage.

Rows of Quick Hit slot machines display error screens at MGM Grand in Las Vegas during a 2023 ransomware attack. — MGM Grand's casino floor sits along the Las Vegas Strip, one of the largest gaming resorts operated by MGM Resorts International. On September 15, 2023, slot machines including Quick Hit units displayed blank or error screens after a ransomware attack disclosed days earlier disrupted computer systems across MGM properties. The outage affected slot machines, digital key cards, and payment systems at MGM-operated casinos throughout Las Vegas. MGM later confirmed the attackers accessed company data and disrupted operations for over a week before service was restored.

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