Lagoon, the primary internet service provider in New Caledonia, reported significant disruptions beginning August 18, following a ransomware attack. This incident left many customers across the territory without reliable internet access, impacting access to Lagoon’s own website and its electronic mail services. Officials confirmed the attack’s impact as they worked to restore services and advised customers to keep their modems connected to help facilitate the resolution process.
As of August 19, Lagoon announced a gradual resumption of services, though the timeline for full service normalization remains unclear. Many residents and businesses continued to experience outages or slow internet speeds, with the potential for intermittent connectivity issues persisting even as some connections were reestablished. This cyberattack has raised concerns about the vulnerability of regional infrastructure to cyber threats, especially in remote areas heavily reliant on a single provider.
The cyberattack not only interrupted personal internet use but also caused significant disruptions for businesses and communications within New Caledonia. Many companies, especially those relying on online transactions, found it challenging to conduct routine operations. The incident highlighted the critical role of internet access in local economies and the widespread impact of cyberattacks on business continuity and customer relations.
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, urging users to stay informed about updates on service restoration. Lagoon has not yet disclosed further details on the potential source of the ransomware or on specific measures taken to prevent recurrence. Customers have been advised to remain vigilant against further disruptions as recovery efforts proceed.
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