FBI seizes ransomware group's darknet site in MGM cyberattack
The U.S. Department of Justice and FBI have seized the darknet website of a ransomware group blamed for the August cyberattack on MGM Resorts.
A group called Dispersed Spiders initially claimed responsibility for the MGM cyber attack in September. Federal law enforcement later discovered that ScatterSpider had been using a software called Alphv and working with a larger cyber gang called Blackcat.
The FBI confirmed Tuesday that it launched a sabotage operation against Black Cat. The U.S. Department of Justice and FBI, working with a team of international law enforcement agencies, successfully seized the criminal group's dark web website and posted a notice on its homepage.
“This site has been confiscated,” the Black Cat homepage now reads. "The FBI seized this website as part of a coordinated law enforcement operation targeting ALPHV Blackcat ransomware."
Decryption tool provided
In addition to seizing the criminal group's online homepage, which it said cost MGM more than $100 million, the FBI also announced the development of a decryption tool that will allow federal law enforcement to assist victims in recovering their system to provide assistance. Black Cats and many other cybercriminals often encrypt their victims' data, effectively locking a company or individual out of their network until a ransom is paid.
The Justice Department takes another crackdown on hackers by taking down the Blackcat ransomware group. ” said Assistant Attorney General Lisa Monaco.
Monaco announced that the decryption tool is available indefinitely and has helped more than 500 affected victims recover their systems. According to the FBI, the tool enables businesses and schools to reopen more quickly and helps critical health and emergency service networks get back online quickly.
The FBI estimates that the decryption tool has saved at least $68 million in ransom demands. Victims around the world have paid an undisclosed sum over the past year, with the Justice Department agency only estimating the total to be "hundreds of millions of dollars."
Caesars Entertainment suffered a similar cyber attack to MGM in August. But unlike its main rivals, Caesars decided to pay the ransom, said to be around $15 million.
Christmas Consumer Alert
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, says the holidays are the most active time of year for cybercriminals. The agency urges consumers to take proactive steps to protect their personal information online.
These tips include regularly updating your devices with the latest software. CISA also recommends changing passwords when prompted and using two-factor authentication when available.
Another tip is to only shop online through trusted websites and avoid making purchases on Public Wi-Fi networks. It is also recommended that you use a credit card rather than a debit card because the law limits your liability for fraudulent credit card charges that may not be related to your debit card.
The government also advises being cautious about emails asking for personal information.
"Legitimate companies do not request this information via email," the CISA notice states.
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Source: www.casino.org
