24 July 2020
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Garmin, that makes GPS-enabled fitness trackers and navigational software application, is suffering what it has actually explained as an "outage".
According to ZDNet, workers have claimed on social media that the firm is the victim of a ransomware attack, but this has actually not been confirmed.
Garmin Aviation stated its flyGarmin site and mobile app, used by pilots, were also unavailable.
The business's production line in Taiwan is also believed to have been impacted.
The problems imply that customers are not currently able to log into Garmin Connect to record and evaluate their fitness and health information.
And pilots who utilize flyGarmin can not currently download current aviation databases, which is a legal requirement.
Ransomware is a type of malware. It lets hackers take control of a business's systems and encrypt their information, requiring payment to release it. It is frequently sent out through a malicious e-mail link to staff members.
Garmin has not officially verified the cause of its issues.
In a declaration it said: "We are presently experiencing a failure that affects Garmin.com and Garmin Connect. This blackout likewise impacts our call centres and we are presently unable to get any calls, emails or online chats. Garmin are working to solve this issue as rapidly as possible and apologise for the trouble."
Experts state it looks like a major problem for the firm.
"Garmin's infrastructure has actually suffered a massive failure, and although the business has not officially validated it, the finger of suspicion points strongly in the instructions of a ransomware attack," composed security expert Graham Cluley.
"The risk isn't just that physical fitness enthusiasts may not have the ability to tape-record how lots of miles they jogged today. Garmin likewise offers services for aviators and sailors, meaning they may not be able to utilize their relied on apps for weather forecast or submitting flight strategies."
Mr Cluley added that fitness tracker data could be a "treasure trove" as it would reveal a user's whole area history.