More than 300 million ransomware attacks in the first half of 2021
There was a 185% increase in ransomware attacks in the US and 144% in the UK. Other targets include Germany, South Africa, and Brazil.
What is happening?
According to a report by SonicWall, there were 304.7 million ransomware attacks in the first half of 2021. They observed a surge in attempt... Read more
Kaseya has a master decryptor for customers affected by the REvil attack
Kaseya said that it has obtained a decryptor after the REvil ransomware attack left the remote management software seller in shambles. As many as 1500 downstream networks were affected during the Fourth of July weekend.
REvil is one of the most brutal ransomware groups in the world and it is bel... Read more
Amazon shuts down accounts and cloud infrastructure related to NSO Group
Amazon Web Services has shut down cloud infrastructure and accounts linked to the Israeli-based NSO group according to a news report by VICE on Monday.
Recent reports from The Washington Post and other publications revealed that NSO Group’s spyware was used in attempted and successful hacks of... Read more
REvil ransomware gang vanishes following US pressure on Putin
The disappearance follows a run of spectacular high profile take-downs of businesses worldwide.
Ransomware gang REvil (allegedly named for "Ransomware Evil") has disappeared following pressure from the U.S. government on Russia to act on ransomware groups operating in the country. The REvil rans... Read more
White hats reported Kaseya VSA flaw in April
One of the vulnerabilities found in Kaseya's IT management software was reported to the vendor earlier this year in April. However, there was not enough time to get a patch ready, and subsequently, the bug ended up being exploited by attackers who managed to affect up to 1,500 businesses.
As man... Read more
Ransomware-as-a-service creates opportunities for negotiators
The world of cybercrime is turning into a real business that has created a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) ecosystem. It is structured in a deliberately corporate way, with researchers reporting that there are now opportunities for negotiators.
The role of a negotiator in this RaaS ecosystem is f... Read more
Hackers demand $70 million to restore their victims’ data
But the Russian-linked cybercrime gang may have bitten off more than they can chew.
Hackers suspected to be behind a mass extortion attack that affected hundreds of companies worldwide late on Sunday demanded $70 million to restore the data they are holding ransom, according to reporting by Reut... Read more
New ransomware shows popularity of Golang programming language
A new ransomware strain has emerged that uses Golang in what is yet another sign of the programming language's growing popularity among cybercriminals. CrowdStrike managed to get a sample of the new ransomware variant, which has not yet been named.
It borrows features from HelloKitty/DeathRansom... Read more
REvil ransomware targets French Connection UK and Grupo Fleury
The group is branching out into multiple sectors, targeting the leaders in each one globally.
The REvil ransomware gang has now targeted the UK's upscale clothing maker French Connection Group plc and Brazillian medical diagnostic company Grupo Fleury.
UK tech zine The Register first reported... Read more
Most ransomware victims face second attack after paying off first
Hackers in most cases will return to take a second bite at the apple.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a wave of ransomware attacks. However, a new study by a U.S. cybersecurity firm reveals an even greater threat. It shows that 4 in 5 ransomware victims run the risk of repeat cyber attacks.
... Read more