Headlines

Hackers Hold Jeweler’s Data Hostage

He paid a CA$2,300 ransom.

Published

5 years ago

September 24, 2019

INSTORE Staff

A jeweler in Barrie, Ontario, is recovering from a ransomware attack, Barrie 360 reports.

Jeff Walters, owner of Jeff Walters Jewellers, said business records dating back over two decades were held hostage.

The cybercriminals asked for money to release the data, and he ended up paying them CA$2,300.

So far, by paying the ransom and working with information technology professionals, Walters has been able to regain access to most but not all of his data, Barrie 360 reports.

Barrie Police spokesman Peter Leon was quoted saying, “Law enforcement does not recommend negotiating with these individuals, because it’s a form of organized crime. What people need to do is make sure to utilize safe and secure sites that don’t put them down a path that could be very, very dangerous.”

He said authorities are seeing more and more cyberattacks on small businesses.

Read more at the Barrie 360

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”