FBI boss says China ‘burned down’ 260,000-device botnet when confronted by Feds

September 18, 2024 at 05:11PM FBI Director Wray highlights bureau’s assistance to ransomware victims. China-backed spies reportedly dismantle 260,000-device botnet after FBI’s pursuit with international allies. From the meeting notes, it seems that Wray shared about the bureau’s efforts to assist certain victims in dealing with ransomware criminals. Additionally, there was mention of China-backed spies … Read more

So you paid a ransom demand … and now the decryptor doesn’t work

September 11, 2024 at 09:39AM Executives and security leaders facing ransomware attacks endure immense stress and uncertainty. In a recent incident involving Hazard ransomware, victims paid a ransom for a decryption tool that ultimately didn’t work, escalating their distress. Despite this, cybersecurity experts emphasize the need for caution, as success with decryption tools is not … Read more

Dark Reading Confidential: Meet the Ransomware Negotiators

June 27, 2024 at 01:57PM Becky Bracken, Senior Editor, Dark Reading, hosts a podcast featuring guests discussing the complexities of ransomware negotiations. The episode highlights the importance of professional expertise and emotional control when facing cyber threats. The guests, Ed Dubrovsky and Joe Tarraf, stress the need for international cooperation and a proactive approach to … Read more

CDK Global outage caused by BlackSuit ransomware attack

June 22, 2024 at 03:14PM The BlackSuit ransomware gang caused a massive IT outage at CDK Global, affecting North American car dealerships. CDK is negotiating with BlackSuit for a decryptor and to prevent data leaks. The outage led to manual operation of car dealerships. Major companies like Penske Automotive Group and Sonic Automotive were also … Read more

Ransomware negotiator weighs in on the extortion payment debate with El Reg

May 12, 2024 at 04:11PM Last year saw a record high in ransomware attacks, affecting over 4,500 victims. Drew Schmitt, a professional negotiator for ransomware incidents, discussed evolving tactics of criminal gangs and the debate over banning ransom payments. Schmitt emphasized the complexity of the issue and the need for a multi-pronged approach to combating … Read more

The Week in Ransomware – February 2nd 2024 – No honor among thieves

February 2, 2024 at 06:39PM Ransomware continues to disrupt hospitals, impacting patient care. Despite claims by groups like LockBit to avoid encrypting hospitals, attacks persist, causing organizations to shut down IT systems. Affiliates target healthcare, affecting medical chart access and electronic prescriptions. Recent attacks on Lurie Children’s Hospital and Saint Anthony Hospital highlight the ongoing … Read more