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Ransomware Attack on Insomniac Leads to Massive Data Leak

Ransomware

In a recent cyberattack, renowned game developer Insomniac Games fell victim to a ransomware attack that has sent shockwaves through the gaming industry. Hackers targeted the company, threatening to auction off stolen data if a $2 million Bitcoin ransom was not paid to them.  The attack has exposed a staggering 1.67 terabytes of data, making […]

Navigating the New Cybersecurity Frontier: AI’s Role in Combating Ransomware

Ransomware

In an ever-evolving digital landscape, where ransomware attacks grow more sophisticated, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a crucial tool in cyber defense. George Kurtz, CEO of CrowdStrike, recently discussed the pivotal role of AI in identifying and combating these threats with CNBC’s Jim Cramer. Unlike traditional methods reliant on recognizing previously encountered threats, AI-driven […]

Australia mandates reporting of ransomware attacks to bolster cybersecurity

Australia is set to enhance its cybersecurity framework, mandating local businesses to report any ransomware cyberattacks. This move comes in response to the growing digital threats that have cost the Australian economy a staggering $2.59 billion in 2021. The upcoming national cybersecurity strategy, slated for release in November, introduces a compulsory reporting system for local […]

How is the Conti Group Shaping the Current On-Chain Ransomware Landscape?

ransomware

The threat of cyber attacks looms larger than ever before. Among the myriad of cyber threats, ransomware has emerged as a formidable adversary, leveraging the benefits of modern technology while exploiting its inherent vulnerabilities. The Conti Group, a notable actor in this domain, has become synonymous with large-scale, disruptive ransomware attacks. Conti, a Russia-based threat actor […]

Ransomware actors and scammers exploit cloud mining services for crypto laundering: Report

Ransomware Actors and Scammers exploit Cloud Mining for crypto Laundering: Report

Cloud mining services have become increasingly utilized by cybercriminals to facilitate cryptocurrency laundering. What was initially observed in nation-state actors has now been adopted by ransomware operations and cryptocurrency scammers, according to a report by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis. This trend sheds light on the growing sophistication of criminals in their pursuit of illicit gains, […]

Insurance company served with a lawsuit for ignoring Bitcoin ransom payment

INSURANCE

Graff, a luxury jeweler, is suing its insurance company for declining to pay Bitcoin ransom. The jeweler reportedly paid a Bitcoin ransom of $7.5 million to the Russian hacking gang Conti after the group threatened to leak data of the company’s big clients, including Middle East royalty. Graff negotiated the ransom payment with the hackers […]

Dutch: Maastricht University to recover double the BTC ransom paid in 2019

university

Maastricht University (UM) is anticipating the return of roughly half a million euros’ worth of Bitcoin (BTC.) This follows a successful resolution of the infamous ransomware assault in December 2019. The Dutch university has come out as a winner in this circumstance. The UM was the victim of a ransomware attack in 2019, which froze […]

Ransomware hackers hit German store, MediaMarkt demands $50M ransom

Atomic wallet hack

TL;DR Breakdown Ransomware hackers hit German chain store Media markt. Demands $50m ransom from Media markt. Over $80m stolen with spate of ransomware hacks in 2021. Ransomware hackers have struck again, this time hitting top German Media Markt, a multinational chain of stores selling consumer electronics with over 1000 stores in Europe. Per reports, the […]

FBI stings monero chasing couple for selling secrets of nuke powered subs

FBI

TL;DR Breakdown FBI arrested the couple in an undercover operation. The couple, a Naval engineer, had been trying to sell classified info on US warship. The pair had insisted on payments in Monero (XMR), citing privacy. In total, they received XMR worth $100,000 for leaking classified info to a covert agent. The FBI has arrested […]

US knocks hard on ransomware attacks, creates task force for cybercriminals

ransomware attacks

TL;DR Breakdown US setup taskforce to fight ransomware attackers Ransomware attackers forced major US firms to pay ransom after hacks US plans $10m bounty on ransomware attackers Towards stamping out the menace of ransomware attacks, the United States has established a new task force mandated to combat cyberattacks and tracing crypto paid as ransom. According […]

G7 to take action on recurring crypto ransomware attacks

G

TL;DR Breakdown G7 to fight crypto-ransomware attacks Revenue made from ransomware attacks The G7 are already resolving to make a commitment towards fighting against ransomware attacks which shuts people out of network until they pay a ransom to get access back. Per a Press Release from the White House, the recent rise in attacks like […]

Chainalysis: $81 Million crypto already stolen in 2021

ransomware attacks

TL;DR Breakdown At least $81 million in crypto already stolen in 2021 US authorities and their relationship with Chainalysis Chainalysis, a blockchain data analytical company, has said that at least $81 million has been stolen in crypto in 2021 owing to ransomware attacks. The attack led to $406 million crypto theft in 2020. The firm […]

Tips to avoid ransomware attacks in post-pandemic world

Tips to avoid ransomware attacks in post pandemic world

Ransomeware attacks are getting bolder in the post-pandemic world. Protection and preventive measures against ransomware attacks can provide some relief. The first question that comes to your mind is, what is Ransomware? Ransomware is more of an advanced hacking style like cyber extortion, which is paid in cryptocurrency. They attack users’ important digital files and data […]

Maze ransomware hits U.S nuclear contractor: data leaked

jumpstory download

U.S nuclear contractor hit by Maze ransomware Following a U.S nuclear contractor Maze ransomware attack, two offices of the US Treasury Department have issued advisories against ransomware pay-outs and state that they pose a threat to US national security. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FCEN) has reminded crypto-processing companies of their obligation to file suspicious […]

Washington jury indicts 5 Chinese hackers for computer intrusions

Washington jury indicts Chinese hackers for computer intrusions

A federal grand jury in Washington D.C has charged five Chinese hackers for computer intrusions that affected more than a hundred victim enterprises in the United States and abroad. The jury returned two separate indictments in August 2019 and August 2020. The indictments charged five Chinese nationals with computer intrusions, affecting numerous companies in the […]

Argentina’s immigration agency refuses to pay Bitcoin ransom worth $4M to hackers

cyber security

Recently, Argentina’s official immigration agency known as Dirección Nacional de Migraciones was hit by a ransomware attack, which temporarily halted border crossing. The attackers now demand a Bitcoin ransom worth $4 million after raising the initial ransom amount. Meanwhile, Argentina’s immigration agency has refused to pay the Bitcoin ransom. Hackers encrypted files from the agency […]

Ransomware attackers send bomb threat emails in Austria, demand ransom in bitcoins

ransom in bitcoins

Austrian police have announced that bomb threats via email have been sent to businesses with reports claiming attackers demand ransom in bitcoins. In the announcement released by the Austrian police, the threat emails were sent to businesses and investments located around Austria.  Presently, police have no idea of a specific location where the bombing might […]

Ransomware attack: $1M pay out In BTC traced to Binance

ransomware attack

Security operatives have traced a one million dollar payment for ransomware attacks to a wallet based on Binance exchange. Experts have faulted the role of Bitcoin as one of the most used methods for payments for ransomware attacks. In light of this, a recent report from unknown sources has claimed that Bitcoin was used to […]

Travel giant CWT pays $4.5M in Bitcoin ransom to recover data

Travel giant CWT pays M in Bitcoin ransom to recover data

CWT, one of the largest travel companies based in the United States, has agreed to pay $4.5 million as Bitcoin ransom to the hackers who breached its computer network. Formerly Carlson Wagonlit Travel, CWT is a company boasting an annual revenue of $1.5 billion. The company had been attacked by hackers who took control of […]

Crypto-related scams in Russia skyrocketed exponentially during the first half of 2020

Crypto related scams

Cybersecurity companies have concluded that crypto-related scams in Russia have seen a rapid rise over the first half of 2020. Moreover, researchers have highlighted about 23,000 active websites involved in cryptocurrency scams in Russia, still actively looking for more victims to defraud. According to a new report by Kommersant, citing a new study conducted by […]

Argentina’s telecom company faces $7.5M Monero ransom in major cyberattack

Argentina s telecom company faces M Monero ransom in major cyberattack

The largest telecommunications company in Argentina could be forced to shell out Monero ransom worth $7.5 million following a major ransomware attack on its systems last week. Monero’s privacy feature has proven to be its strength as well as weakness. While on the one hand, it is lauded for being one of the very few […]

Ransomware attacks on the rise: Here’s how to defend yourself

Ransomware attacks

Crypto ransomware attacks are at an all-time high; in these difficult times, we will discuss some methods people can employ to protect themselves. As Cryptopolitan previously reported, crypto-related crimes, especially ransomware attacks, have seen an alarming growth rate across the past few years. The average sum demanded by ransomware attacks doubled between 2018 and 2019. […]

DoppelPaymer ransomware group demands 30 BTC on data leak threat    

DoppelPaymer ransomware group

Alabama, a southern U.S state after being targeted by DoppelPaymer ransomware group, has given in to paying 30 BTC as a ransom to ensure its private citizen’s data are not leaked. The DoppelPaymer ransomware group attacked the information Technology system of the state a month ago. The attack came amidst warning that hackers could penetrate […]

Ransomware attacks are targeting the education sector, report reveals

Ransomware attacks are targeting the education sector report reveals

A new report by Verizon revealed the increasing number of ransomware attacks directed towards the education sector. Verizon’s 2020 Data Breach Investigation Report revealed the increase of ransomware attacks across educational services around the globe. The report also revealed that 80 percent of all cyberattacks are ransomware. Increase in ransomware attacks The data revealed that 92 […]

Madonna crypto ransom scheme next after President Trump

Madonna crypto ransom scheme

Reportedly, after auctioning sensitive data about America’s Donald Trump, Popstar Madonna crypto ransom scheme is set to be the next to be carried out by REvil, a group of crypto-ransomware hackers.  Sensitive data auctioning about Madonna will begin May 25 with a starting bid fee of $1 million to be paid in Monero crypto coin. […]

Crypto ransomware group doubles ransom to $42 million threatening to expose Trump

ransomware

REvil, a group of crypto ransomware hackers, who recently stole confidential legal data from New York law company, are back again. This time, the crypto ransomware group are demanding double of the initial ransom, on threats to expose Donald Trump, the United States president. Crypto ransomware attack on big law firm The law company is […]

Anti-Ransomware Day: Interpol, Kaspersky partner to raise cyberattacks awarness

Black hat hackers

The international crime-fighting organization, Interpol, alongside Kaspersky, developers of Kaspersky antivirus, have come together to launch the anti-ransomware day campaign. The significance of the campaign is to raise awareness of ransom-centric cyberattacks. Anti-ransomware day was strategically scheduled for May 12, the anniversary of the most significant ransomware attack on record, WannaCry. Anti-ransomware day amidst attacks […]

Ransomware gang victimizes celebrities

Ransomware gang

Celebrities like Lady Gaga, Madonna, Elton, John, among others, are at the risk of being victimized by an unknown ransomware gang.  These hackers threaten to make public around one terabyte of private legal secrets of these stars. Reportedly, one of the premier entertainment and media law firms in America, Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks,  suffered […]

Netfilim ransomware targets logistics and lingerie giants

Netfilim ransomware targets logistics and lingerie giants

It appears that Netfilim ransomware is a new type of infection, after the coronavirus pandemic, wreaking havoc among large-scale businesses. On 5th May, there were reports of this ransomware targeting two corporate giants, Australian transport company Toll Group and maker of American lingerie brand Victoria’s Secrets. Over the past few weeks, ransomware attacks have been […]

CipherTrace Armada helps uncover crypto payment blind spots

CipherTrace Armada helps uncover crypto payment blind spots

Newly launched CipherTrace Armada is meant for financial institutions looking to remove the regulatory blind spots prevalent in the crypto compliance. The monitoring solution will aid large banks and financial institutions achieve compliance with a greater degree of transparency. CipherTrace Unveils Compliance Tool for #Banks Involved in #Crypto https://t.co/FFBiBacbaN Ciphertrace’s recent research revealed that US […]

Sextortion crypto scammers generate around $500,000 in 4 months

Sextortion crypto scammers

As law enforcement tries to curb several patterns of crypto crimes in the crypto space, sextortion crypto scammers are the latest to begin distorting order in the crypto world. SophosLabs, alongside Cipher Trace in a study, revealed that sextortion crypto scammers are making gains recently, garnering around $500,000 between September last year and January. Sextortion […]

Ransomware attacks in US decline amid COVID-19

Ransomware attacks in US decline amid COVID

Internet security firm Emsisoft recently published a report which reveals that the US ransomware attacks have seen a considerable decline ever since the COVID-19 outbreak ravaged the country’s densely populated regions. It’s a combination of good and bad news. On the one hand are the public sector organizations in the US that are breathing a […]

Coronavirus crypto scammers turn attention towards remote workers

Coronavirus crypto scammers

With the continuous ravage of the coronavirus pandemic and its role in surging numbers of crypto scams, coronavirus crypto scammers have now turned their attention and ramped-up attack on remote workers. The pandemic since its outbreak in the world has left a lot of people jobless and many others forced to work from home to […]

Travelex ransomware attack cost the firm $3.2 Million in BTC

Travelex ransomware attack cost the firm Million in BTC

Travelex ransomware attack has resulted in $3.2 million in damages to the company. Reportedly, Bitcoin was used to pay the bounty to anonymous hackers. Travelex, the world’s largest foreign exchange brand, was recently struck by ransomware and lost all access to their system. Wall Street Journal states that the cybersecurity professionals advised the firm to […]

Crypto COVID-19 donation scams: Beware of NHS infected emails

crypto COVID donations

Action Fraud (AF), a fraud and cybercrime reporting center in the United Kingdom, has come out to denounce scammers impersonating National Health Service (NHS) soliciting crypto COVID-19 donations. Crypto COVID-19 donation scams modus These scammers send fake infected emails impersonating NHS workers, usually to get crypto COVID-19 donations. Reportedly, these emails are infected with bitcoin […]

Bitcoin ransomware Ryuk ravaging hospitals amidst COVID-19 pandemic

Bitcoin ransomware Ryuk ravaging hospitals amidst COVID pandemic

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Bitcoin ransomware Ryuk is unleashing havoc on the already overburdened hospitals. The healthcare system across many countries is facing immense stress due to the surge in Coronavirus cases. Ransomware, at this point, will only aggravate the burden on the hospitals. I can confirm that #Ryuk ransomware are still targeting hospitals despite […]

Ransomware and cryptocurrency: A killer duo?

Ransomware and cryptocurrency A killer duo

Ransomware and cryptocurrency go back a long way indeed. So long that people have actually forgotten that the two are not really directly related but yes ransomware, as the name suggests, is somewhat dependant on the other. It would not be wrong to say that they are closely connected to the extent that the increase […]

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