South Africa Ransomware Attack: Justice Department Denies Receiving 50 BTC Ransom Demand

South Africa’s Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJCD) has denied claims that it has received a 50 bitcoin ransom demand from hackers that attacked its systems on September 6, 2021. Reports of Ransom Demand Deemed ‘Completely Untrue’ Instead, the DOJCD insists that its tech experts, “industry partners and selected organs of state have been … Read more

Report: Colonial Pipeline Paid $5M Worth in Crypto to Ransomware Gang, Restarts Services

The global oil market was shaken by news from the United States as a ransomware attack hit the largest oil infrastructure operation in the country. A recent report claims hackers asked Colonial Pipeline to pay for an undisclosed amount in ransom to unlock the firm’s system – a demand the company allegedly fulfilled. Darkside Gang … Read more

Task Force Pushes Biden Administration to Tighten Cryptocurrency Regulation

A public-private task force has submitted a report to the Biden administration that includes recommendations to tighten the regulation of cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin, with the aim to combat ransomware. “The cryptocurrency sector that enables ransomware crime should be more closely regulated,” the task force wrote. White House Urged to Tighten Crypto Regulation A task force, … Read more

Former UK Cyber Intelligence Official Pushes for Law Change to Stop Bitcoin Ransomware Payments

A former U.K. cybersecurity chief has raised concerns that ransomware incidents are close to “getting out of control.” Ciaran Martin has also called for laws to prevent people from paying bitcoin to cybercriminals. Former Official Claims Most of the Cybercriminals Are Based in Russia During an interview with The Guardian, Martin, who was the head … Read more

This Bitcoin Ransomware Rakes in $150 Million in BTC

A new report by two cybersecurity firms has revealed that one ransomware family is particularly successful, raking in over $150 million in bitcoin. The ransom payments “sometimes amount to millions of dollars and typically run in the hundreds of thousands range.” Ransomware Makes $150 Million in Bitcoin The Ryuk ransomware family has raked in $150 … Read more

FBI Warns Ransomware Gangs Are Harassing Victims via Telephone Calls to Pay Crypto Ransoms

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released an alert that warns private industry in the country about incidents of harassment of victims made by ransomware gangs, such as the well-known Doppelpaymer group. FBI Is Aware of Cold-Calling Tactics by Ransomware Gangs According to a PIN (private industry notification) alert regularly sent to U.S. … Read more

Hackers Demand Over 1,800 BTC From Electronics Giant Foxconn After Ransomware Attack

A multinational electronic giant and a well-known manufacturer of Apple products is the latest victim of a millionaire ransomware attack deployed over the Thanksgiving weekend on one of its branches. Apple’s Manufacturer Is the Latest Victim of Well-Known Ransomware Gang Foxconn, a publicly-traded Taiwanese company and one of the largest electronics manufacturing firms, suffered a … Read more

Black Shadow Hackers Demand 200 BTC Ransom from Israeli Insurance Giant Shirbit

One of the largest insurance companies in Israel has been hit by a ransomware attack, and the threat actors started to release sensitive data, as the firm doesn’t pay the requested ransom in bitcoin (BTC). Israel-Based Shirbit Still Refuses to Pay $3.8 Million Ransom According to The Jerusalem Post, the Black Shadow group is the … Read more

OFAC Warns Americans Against Facilitating Ransomware Payments

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) recently issued an advisory highlighting the sanctions risk American citizens face if they help facilitate ransomware payments. In the advisory, the OFAC says it will “continue to impose sanctions on those who materially assist, sponsor, or provide financial, material, or technological support for … Read more

Argentina Government Refuses to Pay $4M Bitcoin Ransom to Hackers Who Paralyzed Its Borders

The government of Argentina has reportedly refused to pay a $4 million bitcoin ransom demanded by hackers who hijacked the country’s immigration systems, temporarily crippling cross-border movements. On Aug. 27, the cybercriminals – now identified as a group calling itself Netwalker – hacked Argentina’s immigration agency, Dirección Nacional de Migraciones, in an attack that halted … Read more