February 9, 2024 at 04:09PM
The US Department of State has announced a $10 million reward for information on leaders of the Hive ransomware cybergang, a year after its takedown. The operation made over 1,500 victims and received over $100 million in ransom payments. This follows continued efforts to identify and prosecute those involved in the cybercrime.
From the meeting notes provided, it is clear that the US Department of State has announced a $10 million reward for information on leaders of the Hive ransomware cybergang. This comes as part of efforts following the takedown of the Hive ransomware operation, which had made over 1,500 victims and received significant ransom payments. The US government, along with international law enforcement agencies, has been actively involved in actions against the Hive ransomware group, with the FBI obtaining decryption keys to assist victims and prevent further ransom demands. The reward offer also includes a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of any individual linked to the Hive ransomware operation.
It is worth noting that while rewards like this are intended to make cybercriminals uncomfortable, their effectiveness has not yet been fully proven according to cybersecurity expert Roger Grimes. He mentioned that cybercriminals often operate in countries that do not cooperate with the US and may have other forms of protection or support. Despite this, the announcement of such rewards is seen as a step towards putting pressure on malicious hackers to reduce their activities.
These meeting notes demonstrate the ongoing efforts of the US and international law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime, particularly in the realm of ransomware attacks.