Yet it provides a similar experience to that of LiveLeak. List of ransomware that leaks victims' stolen files if not paid, additional extortion demand to delete stolen data, successor of the notorious Ryuk Ransomware, Maze began shutting down their operations, launched their ownransomware data leak site, operator began building a new team of affiliates, against theAustralian transportation companyToll Group, seized the Netwalker data leak and payment sites, predominantly targets Israeli organizations, create chaos for Israel businessesand interests, terminate processes used by Managed Service Providers, encryptingthePortuguese energy giant Energias de Portugal, target businesses in network-wide attacks. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Digging below the surface of data leak sites. The first part of this two-part blog series explored the origins of ransomware, BGH and extortion and introduced some of the criminal adversaries that are currently dominating the data leak extortion ecosystem. Increase data protection against accidental mistakes or attacks using Proofpoint's Information Protection. . Logansport Community School Corporation was added to Pysa's leak site on May 8 with a date of April 11, 2021. These auctions are listed in a specific section of the DLS, which provides a list of available and previously expired auctions. BlackCat Ransomware Targets Industrial Companies, Conti Ransomware Operation Shut Down After Brand Becomes Toxic, Ransomware Targeted 14 of 16 U.S. Critical Infrastructure Sectors in 2021, Google Workspace Client-Side Encryption Now Generally Available in Gmail, Calendar, South American Cyberspies Impersonate Colombian Government in Recent Campaign, Ransomware Attack Hits US Marshals Service, New Exfiltrator-22 Post-Exploitation Framework Linked to Former LockBit Affiliates, Vouched Raises $6.3 Million for Identity Verification Platform, US Sanctions Several Entities Aiding Russias Cyber Operations, PureCrypter Downloader Used to Deliver Malware to Governments, QNAP Offering $20,000 Rewards via New Bug Bounty Program, CISO Conversations: Code42, BreachQuest Leaders Discuss Combining CISO and CIO Roles, Dish Network Says Outage Caused by Ransomware Attack, Critical Vulnerabilities Patched in ThingWorx, Kepware IIoT Products, Security Defects in TPM 2.0 Spec Raise Alarm, Trackd Snags $3.35M Seed Funding to Automate Vuln Remediation. In May 2020, Newalker started to recruit affiliates with the lure of huge payouts and an auto-publishing data leak site that uses a countdown to try and scare victims into paying. Screenshot of TWISTED SPIDERs DLS implicating the Maze Cartel, To date, the Maze Cartel is confirmed to consist of TWISTED SPIDER, VIKING SPIDER (the operators of Ragnar Locker) and the operators of LockBit. and cookie policy to learn more about the cookies we use and how we use your Similar to many other ransomware operators, the threat actors added a link to their dedicated leak site (DLS), as shown in Figure 1. Similarly, there were 13 new sites detected in the second half of 2020. But in this case neither of those two things were true. 2023. Our dark web monitoring solution automatically detects nefarious activity and exfiltrated content on the deep and dark web. How to avoid DNS leaks. In October, the ransomware operation released a data leak site called "Ranzy Leak," which was strangely using the same Tor onion URL as the AKO Ransomware. Though all threat groups are motivated to maximise profit, SunCrypt and PLEASE_READ_ME adopted different techniques to achieve this. Some groups auction the data to the highest bidder, others only publish the data if the ransom isnt paid. When sensitive data is disclosed to an unauthorized third party, it's considered a "data leak" or "data disclosure." The terms "data leak" and "data breach" are often used interchangeably, but a data leak does not require exploitation of a vulnerability. [removed] [deleted] 2 yr. ago. As eCrime adversaries seek to further monetize their efforts, these trends will likely continue, with the auctioning of data occurring regardless of whether or not the original ransom is paid. The attacker can now get access to those three accounts. They may publish portions of the data at the early stages of the attack to prove that they have breached the target's system and stolen data, and ultimately may publish full data dumps of those refusing to pay the ransom. Its common for administrators to misconfigure access, thereby disclosing data to any third party. For threat groups that are known to use Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, the leak site can be useful as an advanced warning (as in the case of the SunCrypt threat group that was discussed earlier in this article). Best known for its attack against theAustralian transportation companyToll Group, Netwalker targets corporate networks through remote desktophacks and spam. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Proofpoint is a leading cybersecurity company that protects organizations' greatest assets and biggest risks: their people. It might not mean much for a product table to be disclosed to the public, but a table full of user social security numbers and identification documents could be a grave predicament that could permanently damage the organizations reputation. We share our recommendations on how to use leak sites during active ransomware incidents. Dedicated DNS servers with a . These evolutions in data leak extortion techniques demonstrate the drive of these criminal actors to capitalize on their capabilities and increase monetization wherever possible. The conventional tools we rely on to defend corporate networks are creating gaps in network visibility and in our capabilities to secure them. To date, the collaboration appears to focus on data sharing, but should the collaboration escalate into combined or consecutive ransomware operations, then the fallout and impact on victims could become significantly higher. To change your DNS settings in Windows 10, do the following: Go to the Control Panel. Learn about our relationships with industry-leading firms to help protect your people, data and brand. Data leak sites are usually dedicated dark web pages that post victim names and details. When it comes to insider threats, one of the core cybersecurity concerns modern organizations need to address is data leakage. Dedicated to delivering institutional quality market analysis, investor education courses, news, and winning buy/sell recommendations - 100% FREE! Many ransomware operators have created data leak sites to publicly shame their victims and publish the files they stole. Similar to many other ransomware operators, the threat actors added a link to their dedicated leak site (DLS), as shown in Figure 1. As affiliates distribute this ransomware, it also uses a wide range of attacks, includingexploit kits, spam, RDP hacks, and trojans. Sign up now to receive the latest notifications and updates from CrowdStrike. In August 2020, operators of SunCrypt ransomware claimed they were a new addition to the Maze Cartel the claim was refuted by TWISTED SPIDER. After Maze began publishing stolen files, Sodinokibifollowed suit by first publishing stolen data on a hacker forum and then launching a dedicated "Happy Blog" data leak site. Instead of hosting the stolen data on a site that deals with all the gang's victims, the victim had a website dedicated to them. The Maze Cartel creates benefits for the adversaries involved, and potential pitfalls for victims. Double extortion is mainly used by ransomware groups as a means of maximising profits, an established practice of Maze, REvil, and Conti, and others. Examples of data that could be disclosed after a leak include: Data protection strategies should always include employee education and training, but administrators can take additional steps to stop data leaks. However, this year, the number surged to 1966 organizations, representing a 47% increase YoY. In the middle of a ransomware incident, cyber threat intelligence research on the threat group can provide valuable information for negotiations. Protect your people from email and cloud threats with an intelligent and holistic approach. While it appears that the victim paid the threat actors for the decryption key, the exfiltrated data was still published on the DLS. Our networks have become atomized which, for starters, means theyre highly dispersed. What makes this DLS interesting is an indication that the threat actors were likely issuing two ransom demands: one for the victim to obtain the decryption key and a second to delete the exfiltrated data from the DLS. SunCrypt was also more aggressive in its retaliation against companies that denied or withheld information about a breach: not only did they upload stolen data onto their victim blog, they also identified targeted organisations that did not comply on a Press Release section of their website. Part of the Wall Street Rebel site. Threat actors frequently threaten to publish exfiltrated data to improve their chances of securing a ransom payment (a technique that is also referred to as double extortion). In November 2019, Maze published the stolen data of Allied Universal for not paying the ransom. This followed the publication of a Mandiant article describing a shift in modus operandi for Evil Corp from using the FAKEUPDATES infection chain to adopting LockBit Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS). Deliver Proofpoint solutions to your customers and grow your business. You will be the first informed about your data leaks so you can take actions quickly. First spotted in May 2019, Maze quickly escalated their attacks through exploit kits, spam, and network breaches. Below is a list of ransomware operations that have create dedicated data leak sites to publish data stolen from their victims. Leakwatch scans the internet to detect if some exposed information requires your attention. The Veterans Administration lost 26.5 million records with sensitive data, including social security numbers and date of birth information, after an employee took data home. Unlike other ransomware, Ako requires larger companies with more valuable information to pay a ransom and anadditional extortion demand to delete stolen data. As part of the rebrand, they also began stealing data from companies before encrypting their files and leaking them if not paid. An attacker must find the vulnerability and exploit it, which is why administrators must continually update outdated software and install security patches or updates immediately. Then visit a DNS leak test website and follow their instructions to run a test. ALPHV ransomware is used by affiliates who conduct individual attacks, beaching organizations using stolen credentials or, more recently by exploiting weaknessesin unpatched Microsoft Exchange servers. Dedicated IP address. Gain visibility & control right now. It's often used as a first-stage infection, with the primary job of fetching secondary malware . Usually, cybercriminals demand payment for the key that will allow the company to decrypt its files. Although affiliates perform the attacks, the ransom negotiations and data leaks are typically coordinated from a single ALPHV website, hosted on the dark web. Disarm BEC, phishing, ransomware, supply chain threats and more. The use of data leak sites by ransomware actors is a well-established element of double extortion. If a ransom was not paid, the threat actor presented them as available for purchase (rather than publishing the exfiltrated documents freely). This group's ransomware activities gained media attention after encrypting 267 servers at Maastricht University. Access the full range of Proofpoint support services. Equally, it may be that this was simply an experiment and that ALPHV were using the media to spread word of the site and weren't expecting it to be around for very long. Law enforcementseized the Netwalker data leak and payment sites in January 2021. sergio ramos number real madrid. Dumped databases and sensitive data were made available to download from the threat actors dark web pages relatively quickly after exfiltration (within 72 hours). It was even indexed by Google. Organisations that find themselves in the middle of a ransomware attack are under immense pressure to make the right decisions quickly based on limited information. Management. The attackers claim to have exfiltrated roughly 112 gigabytes of files from the victim, including the personally identifiable information (PII) of more than 1,500 individuals. If you are interested to learn more about ransomware trends in 2021 together with tips on how to protect yourself against them, check out our other articles on the topic: Cybersecurity Researcher and Publisher at Atlas VPN. Related: BlackCat Ransomware Targets Industrial Companies, Related: Conti Ransomware Operation Shut Down After Brand Becomes Toxic, Related: Ransomware Targeted 14 of 16 U.S. Critical Infrastructure Sectors in 2021. Secure access to corporate resources and ensure business continuity for your remote workers. Sodinokibiburst into operation in April 2019 and is believed to be the successor of GandCrab, whoshut down their ransomware operationin 2019. (Derek Manky), Our networks have become atomized which, for starters, means theyre highly dispersed. The timeline in Figure 5 provides a view of data leaks from over 230 victims from November 11, 2019, until May 2020. As data leak extortion swiftly became the new norm for big game hunting (BGH) ransomware operators since late 2019, various criminal adversaries began innovating in this area. Learn about the technology and alliance partners in our Social Media Protection Partner program. PLENCOis a manufacturer of phenolic resins and thermoset molding materials is dedicating dedicated an on-site mechanic to focus on repairing leaks and finding ways to improve the efficiency of the plant's compressed air system. An error in a Texas Universitys software allowed users with access to also access names, courses, and grades for 12,000 students. Egregor began operating in the middle of September, just as Maze started shutting down their operation. From ransom negotiations with victims seen by. To start a conversation or to report any errors or omissions, please feel free to contact the author directly. The danger here, in addition to fake profiles hosting illegal content, are closed groups, created with the intention of selling leaked data, such as logins, credit card numbers and fake screens. It does this by sourcing high quality videos from a wide variety of websites on . Read how Proofpoint customers around the globe solve their most pressing cybersecurity challenges. They were publicly available to anyone willing to pay for them. Try out Malwarebytes Premium, with a full-featured trial, Activate, upgrade and manage your subscription in MyAccount, Get answers to frequently asked questions and troubleshooting tips, "Thanks to the Malwarebytes MSP program, we have this high-quality product in our stack. Most recently, Snake released the patient data for the French hospital operator Fresenius Medical Care. Originally part of the Maze Ransomware cartel, LockBit was publishing the data of their stolen victims on Maze's data leak site. SunCrypt also stated that they had a 72-hour countdown for a target to start communicating with them, after which they claimed they would post 10% of the data. Eyebrows were raised this week when the ALPHV ransomware group created a leak site dedicated to just one of its victims. However, the situation usually pans out a bit differently in a real-life situation. A yet-to-be-seen but realistic threat is that victims whose data is hosted in multiple locations could face negotiations with multiple ransomware operators, potentially increasing the price of the ransom to ensure the datas removal and destruction. Loyola University computers containing sensitive student information had been disposed of without wiping the hard drives. Find the information you're looking for in our library of videos, data sheets, white papers and more. As part of our investigation, we located SunCrypts posting policy on the press release section of their dark web page. Bolder still, the site wasn't on the dark web where it's impossible to locate and difficult to take down, but hard for many people to reach. Researchers only found one new data leak site in 2019 H2. When first starting, the ransomware used the .locked extension for encrypted files and switched to the .pysa extension in November 2019. The site was aimed at the employees and guests of a hotelier that had been attacked, and allowed them to see if their personal details had been leaked. If users are not willing to bid on leaked information, this business model will not suffice as an income stream. Get the latest cybersecurity insights in your hands featuring valuable knowledge from our own industry experts. The dedicated leak site, which has been taken down, appeared to have been created to make the stolen information easily accessible to employees and guests, thus pressuring the hotelier into paying a ransom. TWISTED SPIDERs reputation as a prolific ransomware operator arguably bolsters the reputation of the newer operators and could encourage the victim to pay the ransom demand. Small Business Solutions for channel partners and MSPs. Some of their victims include Texas Department of Transportation(TxDOT),Konica Minolta, IPG Photonics, Tyler Technologies, and SoftServe. Hackers tend to take the ransom and still publish the data. Detect, prevent, and respond to attacks even malware-free intrusionsat any stage, with next-generation endpoint protection. Learn more about information security and stay protected. The cybersecurity firm Mandiant found themselves on the LockBit 2.0 wall of shame on the dark web on 6 June 2022. Make sure you have these four common sources for data leaks under control. Implement the very best security and compliance solution for your Microsoft 365 collaboration suite. A yet-to-be-seen but realistic threat is that victims whose data is hosted in multiple locations could face negotiations with multiple ransomware operators, potentially increasing the price of the ransom to ensure the datas removal and destruction. The ransom demanded by PLEASE_READ_ME was relatively small, at $520 per database in December 2021. They directed targeted organisations to a payment webpage on the Tor network (this page and related Onion domains were unavailable as of 1 August 2022) where the victims entered their unique token mapping them to their stolen database. ThunderX is a ransomware operation that was launched at the end of August 2020. All rights reserved. Once the auction expires, PINCHY SPIDER typically provides a link to the companys data, which can be downloaded from a public file distribution website.. First observed in November 2021 and also known as BlackCat and Noberus, ALPHV is the first ransomware family to have been developed using the Rust programming language. Some people believe that cyberattacks are carried out by a single man in a hoodie behind a computer in a dark room. In both cases, we found that the threat group threatened to publish exfiltrated data, increasing the pressure over time to make the payment. As Malwarebytes points out, because this was the first time ALPHVs operators created such a website, its yet unclear who exactly was behind it. BleepingComputer has seen ransom demands as low as $200,000 for victims who did not have data stolen to a high of$2,000,000 for victim whose data was stolen. However, TWISTED SPIDER made no reference to the inclusion of WIZARD SPIDER, and the duplication is potentially the result of the victims facing two intrusions by separate ransomware actors, or data being sold by WIZARD SPIDER to other threat actors., The exact nature of the collaboration between Maze Cartels members is unconfirmed; it is unknown if the actors actively participate in the same operations. Instead it was on the regular world wide web, where we (and law enforcement) could easily discover things like where it was located and what company was hosting it. All Rights Reserved. No other attack damages the organizations reputation, finances, and operational activities like ransomware. Defend your data from careless, compromised and malicious users. Maze is responsible for numerous high profile attacks, including ones against cyber insurer Chubb, the City of Pensacola,Bouygues Construction, and Banco BCR. Data breaches are caused by unforeseen risks or unknown vulnerabilities in software, hardware or security infrastructure. Atlas VPN analysis builds on the recent Hi-Tech Crime Trends report by Group-IB. This episode drew renewed attention to double extortion tactics because not only was a security vendor being targeted, it was an apparent attempt to silence a prominent name in the security industry. Like with most cybercrime statistics, 2021 is a record year in terms of how many new websites of this kind appeared on the dark web. We want to hear from you. ALPHV, which is believed to have ties with the cybercrime group behind the Darkside/Blackmatter ransomware, has compromised at least 100 organizations to date, based on the list of victims published on their Tor website. In the left-hand panel on the next menu, you'll see a "Change Adapter Settings" option. Ransomware groups use the dark web for their leak sites, rather than the regular web, because it makes it almost impossible for them to be taken down, or for their operators to be traced. A Dedicated IP address gives you all the benefits of using a VPN, plus a little more stability and usability, since that IP address will be exclusive to you. With features that include machine learning, behavioral preventions and executable quarantining, the Falcon platform has proven to be highly effective at stopping ransomware and other common techniques criminal organizations employ. Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts, Taking a Personal Approach to Identity Will Mitigate Fraud Risk & Ensure a Great Customer Experience, The Next Frontier of Security in the Age of Cloud, Effective Security Management, 7th Edition.
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