The hacker behind a cyberattack that has crippled the Petroleos Mexicanos computer systems since the weekend is hoping to squeeze about $5 million out of the company and appears to have set a deadline of Nov. 30.
Pemex has other ideas, saying it won't pay the ransom and hopes to solve the cyberattack problem today, according to comments made by Mexico energy minister Rocio Nahle on Wednesday.
Those comments were the latest in an unfolding drama that has pitted the Mexican oil giant against an unknown hacker who uses the name "Joseph Atkins" in an email address — almost surely a pseudonym. Responding to an email from Bloomberg News, the person declined to comment about Pemex until Nov. 30, the end of a three week deadline.