Described as possibly just ‘the tip of the iceberg’ by software developers, the worlds leading manufacturer for electronic bicycle gear shifting is REELING at what could be the worlds first ransom demands aimed at users of this new-fangled method of changing gear.
Reports started to surface in late March when users of the market-leading eFAFF system found themselves locked out of their bicycles. One such rider was Jeff Compton – a insurance executive from Seattle whose coffee-ride ended before it even started.
“I was all set to ride with the guys. Whilst I was setting up my Strava, my email pinged telling me my eFAFF had been hacked, put into ‘crash-mode’ and wouldn’t be released unless I paid $500 in crypto to some account. Sure enough, my bike – all $6,000 of it – was useless. I’ve been in contact with several IT experts and it looks like its going to be a full software re-install, new driver update, enhanced security patches and an extra layer of cyber-security via a punch in the face. Worst still – looks like my Strava data profile is going to be erased. I certainly ain’t getting those KMs back anytime soon. It’s been a sobering experience but would I go back to mechanical shifting? No way! eFAFF has been a shifting revelation and the battery has only run flat on me 5/6 times so no big deal.”
When contacted, eFAFF’s communications team weren’t available for comment but later released a statement saying that they were looking into reports of their system being the target of ransomware attacks but advised affected consumers to try ‘turning it off and turning it back on again’.