France Arrests Latvian National for Installing Malware on Italian Passenger Ferry

The ferry "Fantastic" was docked at a southern French port when the operator noticed problems with the onboard computers. Investigators determined that hackers had been accessing and controlling the ferry's computers for several days prior to discovery.

The hackers used malicious software (malware) to gain entry into the ferry's computer systems. This allowed them to remotely access, manipulate and ultimately gain control over the ferry's systems. Fortunately, the investigation was conducted before any damage occurred.

Who Was Responsible?​

The moment authorities in France learned about the incident, they moved rapidly to start an investigation and subsequently arrest two crewmembers of the ferry. While one of them was from Latvia, the other originated from Bulgaria. After questioning both men, the police ultimately released the Bulgarian crewmember; however, they held onto the Latvian crewmember.

Furthermore, officials suspect that the Latvian impostor purposely infected the computer with malware. And he may have been associated with a foreign government, although they have not disclosed which country.

Did This Hurt Anyone?​

From a health and safety standpoint, nobody was injured as a result of the incident. The ferry was able to operate normally during this time and successfully removed all traces of malware. The incident highlights a critical point - ferries are now susceptible to cybercrime, which many may not consider.

Closing Remarks​

This incident feels like something straight out of Hollywood, however, it has actually occurred in real life. Cybercrime is no longer restricted to personal computers and mobile devices, but rather, it can also impact transportation systems and the safety of public and private transportation systems.