Ransomware Roundup: Cl0p Releases New Stolen Data; EU, US to Team Up Against Attacks

Isabella James, Tech Times 23 June 2021, 02:06 am

Ransomware gang Cl0p has released a new set of stolen confidential data despite last week's arrests of affiliates of the gang.

According to a report by Ars Technica, the stolen data include the victimized company's employee records such as loan applications and wage-related documents. Ars Technica refused to name the company pending the confirmation of the data and hack.

The fresh release of confidential information comes after Ukrainian police made multiple arrests involving six individuals associated with Cl0p on June 16. The group is accused of double extortion stemming from threats to victims who refused to pay for their stolen data.

The newly released data shows that Cl0p's operations seem unhampered by the recent arrests.

Ransomware: What is It?

Ransomware is a portmanteau of the words "ransom" and "malware," which already give a clue to what it is. Malware, in turn, is a portmanteau of the words "malicious" and "software."

According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), ransomware is a kind of malware that is meant to "files on a device, rendering any files and the systems that rely on them unusable." Those behind the attack then demand a ransom in exchange for decryption.

Hacker Leaked 70GB of Data: Ransomware Attack

(Photo : Getty Image)

These days, ransomware gangs have used the malware to steal confidential information from victims in exchange for ransom. If the ransom is paid, whatever information that has been stolen will not be leaked.

According to Norton, these are the types of ransomware that currently exist:

Crypto Malware - A kind of ransomware that encrypts files, folders, and hard drives.

Lockers - Usually Android-based, Lockers, as its name suggests, locks you out of your device and renders it completely inaccessible.

Scareware - Scareware usually comes in the form of fake antivirus software demanding money in exchange for cleaning in exchange for cleaning the problems it claims to have found in your device.

Doxware - The victim is threatened with the publishing of stolen information if ransom is not paid. It is otherwise known as leakware or extortionware.

EU, US to Fight Back Against Ransomware

With the rising cases of ransomware globally, the European Union (EU) and the United States government have partnered to combat the malicious software.

"We have now a new ransomware working group to address the scourge of ransomware," said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The statement was made following a meeting with EU's ministers for justice and home affairs, according to Politico.

Cases involving ransomware have been on the rise both in Europe and in the US. The Politico report cites the shutting down of the largest gasoline pipeline system in the US and the hacking of Ireland's health care system as examples of ransomware attacks.

Other examples of ransomware attacks that have recently occurred include the Apple Ransomware Attack that hit manufacturers of the tech company and another pipeline-related attack involving LineStart Integrity Services.

Also Read: 71% of Ransomware Attacks Target Small Businesses: Are You Ready?

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isabella James