Count of victims of Avaddon, which has targeted businesses and governments across the globe - with Russia remaining a notable exception (Source: Advanced Intelligence)

'Fear' Likely Drove Avaddon's Exit From Ransomware Fray

Mathew J. Schwartz • June 15, 2021

Based on Russian-language cybercrime chatter, "fear" likely drove the lucrative Avaddon ransomware-as-a-service operation to announce its retirement as the U.S. exerts increasing diplomatic pressure on Moscow to disrupt such activity, experts say. But are criminals simply laying low until the heat dies down?

Fraud Management & Cybercrime

White House Urges Businesses: Improve Ransomware Defenses

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Cybercrime

The Best of Virtual RSA Conference 2021

Information Security Media Group • June 15, 2021

With the RSA Conference virtual this year, ISMG replaced its two live on-site studios with a suite of home studios and produced a diverse group of interviews on timely topics with thought leaders who will be solving cybersecurity's most urgent problems.

Cyberwarfare / Nation-State Attacks

NATO Endorses Cybersecurity Defense Policy

Scott Ferguson • June 15, 2021

The U.S. and its NATO allies endorsed a new cybersecurity defense policy during President Biden's visit this week with member states in Brussels. The policy agreement comes as Biden prepares to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday to discuss cybersecurity and other issues.

Breach Notification

Volkswagen, Audi Notify 3.3 Million of Data Breach

Jeremy Kirk • June 15, 2021

Volkswagen and its Audi subsidiary are notifying 3.3 million people in the U.S and Canada of a breach of personal information by a marketing services supplier. Volkswagen says 90,000 of those affected may have also had their driver's license number, loan data and other personal information exposed.

Critical Infrastructure Security

Avaddon Ransomware Operation Calls It Quits, Releases Keys

Mathew J. Schwartz • June 14, 2021

The prolific Avaddon ransomware-as-a-service operation has announced its closure and released 2,934 decryption keys for free. Has the increased focus by Western governments on combating ransomware been driving this and other operations to exit the fray?

Critical Infrastructure Security

House Oversight Committee Probing JBS Ransomware Payment

Scott Ferguson • June 11, 2021

The House Oversight and Reform Committee is now probing the $11 million payment that meat-producer JBS paid to a cybercriminal gang following a ransomware attack in May. Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney also asked for documents related to ransom payments made by Colonial Pipeline and CNA.

Cybercrime

DOJ Shut Down Slilpp Marketplace for Stolen Credentials

Akshaya Asokan • June 11, 2021

The U.S. Justice Department has shut down the Slilpp cybercrime marketplace, which sold stolen credentials related to bank accounts and other payment mechanisms, in a multinational operation.

3rd Party Risk Management

ISMG Editors' Panel: The FBI's Global Cryptophone Sting

Anna Delaney • June 11, 2021

Criminals tricked into using an FBI-run encrypted messaging app, Verizon's 2021 Breach Investigations Report and overcoming the challenges of recruiting cybersecurity professionals are among the latest cybersecurity topics to be featured for analysis by a panel of Information Security Media Group editors.

3rd Party Risk Management

Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Fallout: Congress Grills CEO

Anna Delaney • June 11, 2021

The latest edition of the ISMG Security Report features an analysis of lawmakers' grilling of Colonial Pipeline CEO Joseph Blount over his handling of the DarkSide ransomware attack. Also featured: How the FBI helped trick criminals into using an encrypted communications service that it was able to monitor.

Breach Notification

Ransomware Gang Goes Nuclear, Hitting US Weapons Contractor

Mathew J. Schwartz • June 11, 2021

A small U.S. nuclear weapons contractor has confirmed that it suffered a ransomware attack, resulting in the theft of data. Credit for the attack has been taken by the ransomware-as-a-service operation known as REvil, aka Sodinokibi, which the FBI recently tied to the attack against meatpacking giant JBS.

3rd Party Risk Management

Biden's Nominees Face Questions Over Cybersecurity Concerns

Scott Ferguson • June 10, 2021

President Joe Biden's nominees for White House cyber director and CISA director faced questions from senators during their confirmation hearing Thursday, including how the federal government should respond to a recent spate of ransomware attacks and other cyberthreats.

Fraud Management & Cybercrime

RSA Spins Off Fraud and Risk Business

Doug Olenick • June 10, 2021

RSA Security LLC has spun off its fraud and risk intelligence business into a stand-alone company named Outseer. The new company will be led by Reed Taussig as CEO, and it will serve a worldwide customer and partner community.

Cybercrime

Botnet Data Leak: 26 Million Passwords Exposed

Jeremy Kirk • June 10, 2021

Some 26 million passwords were exposed in a 1.2 terabyte batch of data found by NordLocker, a security company. It's workaday botnet data, but it highlights a hostile malware landscape, particularly for people still inclined to download pirated software.