ransomware
UK fines software provider £3.07 million for 2022 ransomware breach
The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued a £3.07 million fine on Advanced Computer Software Group Ltd for a 2022 ransomware attack that exposed the sensitive personal data of 79,404 people, including National Health Service (NHS) patients. The cyberattack was announced in early August 2022 when various NHS services, including 111 emergency services, suffered significant outages, pointing […]
RedCurl cyberspies create ransomware to encrypt Hyper-V servers
A threat actor named ‘RedCurl,’ known for stealthy corporate espionage operations since 2018, is now using a ransomware encryptor designed to target Hyper-V virtual machines. Previously, RedCurl was spotted by Group-IB targeting corporate entities worldwide, later expanding its operations and increasing the victim count. However, as Bitdefender Labs researchers report, the threat actors have started deploying ransomware […]
New VanHelsing ransomware targets Windows, ARM, ESXi systems
A new multi-platform ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation named VanHelsing has emerged, targeting Windows, Linux, BSD, ARM, and ESXi systems. VanHelsing was first promoted on underground cybercrime platforms on March 7, offering experienced affiliates a free pass to join while mandating a deposit of $5,000 from less experienced threat actors. The new ransomware operation was first documented […]
FBI warnings are true—fake file converters do push malware
The FBI is warning that fake online document converters are being used to steal peoples’ information and, in worst-case scenarios, to deploy ransomware on victims’ devices. The warning came last week from the FBI Denver field office, after receiving an increasing number of reports about these types of tools. “The FBI Denver Field Office is […]
VSCode extensions found downloading early-stage ransomware
Two malicious VSCode Marketplace extensions were found deploying in-development ransomware, exposing critical gaps in Microsoft’s review process. The extensions, named “ahban.shiba” and “ahban.cychelloworld,” were downloaded seven and eight times, respectively, before they were eventually removed from the store. It is notable that the extensions were uploaded onto the VSCode Marketplace on October 27, 2024 (ahban.cychelloworld) […]
RansomHub ransomware uses new Betruger ‘multi-function’ backdoor
A newly identified custom backdoor deployed in several recent ransomware attacks has been linked to at least one RansomHub ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation affiliate. Symantec researchers who named this malware Betruger describe it as a “rare example of a multi-function backdoor” that was likely engineered for use in ransomware attacks. The malware’s capabilities include a wide range of […]
HellCat hackers go on a worldwide Jira hacking spree
Swiss global solutions provider Ascom has confirmed a cyberattack on its IT infrastructure as a hacker group known as Hellcat targets Jira servers worldwide using compromised credentials. The company announced in a press release that hackers on Sunday breached its technical ticketing system and is currently investigating the incident. Ascom is a telecommunications company with […]
Pennsylvania education union data breach hit 500,000 people
The Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), the largest public-sector union in Pennsylvania, is notifying over half a million individuals that attackers stole their personal information in a July 2024 security breach. The union represents over 178,000 education professionals, including teachers, support staff, higher education personnel, nurses, retired educators, and future teachers. “PSEA experienced a security […]
GPU-powered Akira ransomware decryptor released on GitHub
Security researcher Yohanes Nugroho has released a decryptor for the Linux variant of Akira ransomware, which utilizes GPU power to retrieve the decryption key and unlock files for free. Nugroho developed the decryptor after being asked for help from a friend, deeming the encrypted system solvable within a week, based on how Akira generates encryption […]
Ransomware gang creates tool to automate VPN brute-force attacks
The Black Basta ransomware operation created an automated brute-forcing framework dubbed ‘BRUTED’ to breach edge networking devices like firewalls and VPNs. The framework has enabled BlackBasta to streamline initial network access and scale ransomware attacks on vulnerable internet-exposed endpoints. The discovery of BRUTED comes from EclecticIQ researcher Arda Büyükkaya following an in-depth examination of the ransomware gang’s leaked […]