Ionut Ilascu reports: The first quarter of the year recorded an increase of the average amount ransomware operators demand from their victims. Compared to the previous quarter, a 33% swell was noted, driven by the Sodinokibi and Ryuk ransomware operators. Behind this are successful attacks against large enterprises that can afford to pay top dollar to…
Category: Malware
Poland: UODO begins investigation of data breach at SWPS University
Noted by OneTrust DataGuidance: The Polish data protection authority (‘UODO’) announced, on 30 April 2020, that it had begun investigating a data breach that occurred at the SWPS University of Humanities and Social Sciences (‘SWPS University’). In particular, the UODO stated that the incident concerned a ransomware attack which affected students and employees. In addition, the UODO highlighted that SWPS University, which is the…
Dakota Carrier Network hit by Maze ransomware
Benjamin Freed reports: The company that operates a fiber optic network that supports statewide and local government entities across North Dakota was a victim of a recent ransomware attack that included some of the firm’s files being published on a website that attempts to shame victims into paying. Dakota Carrier Network is a consortium of…
Update to Maze’s ransomware attack on Hammersmith Medicines Research
On March 21, this site reported that Maze Team had attacked Hammersmith Medicines Research (HMR) in London — a clinical testing firm that conducts early Phase 1 and Phase 2 pharmacological tests. Maze had attacked and locked up their data on March 14, but HMR was reportedly able to quickly restore their ability to function and…
Maze ransomware operators claim to have stolen millions of credit cards from Banco BCR
Lawrence Abrams reports on a new “press release” from the Maze ransomware operators. The release was posted yesterday and claims that the Maze Team had successfully attacked Banco BCR, the state-owned bank of Costa Rico in August, 2019 The attackers claim that the bank never complied with its obligations to notify other banks and regulators….
Clop ransomware leaks ExecuPharm’s files after failed ransom
Sergiu Gatlan reports: Clop ransomware leaked files stolen from U.S pharmaceutical company ExecuPharm after ransom negotiations allegedly failed. ExecuPharm is a contract research organization (CRO) that provides clinical research support services to companies from the pharmaceutical industry. The company has more than 18,000 global clinical operational specialists in its network and it is one largest…