The LockBit ransomware group has surfaced on the dark web with two new victims: Maisons de l’Avenir in France and Shinwa Co in Japan, issuing a demanding deadline of February 4, 2024. The cybercriminals, known for their double extortion tactics, have not disclosed the motive or the extent of the data breach, causing heightened concern due to the geographical disparity of the targeted companies. Despite the group’s bold claims, inspections reveal that both Maisons de l’Avenir and Shinwa Co’s websites remain fully functional. LockBit’s consistent use of encryption and threats to leak sensitive information highlights the urgency and the global impact of their cyberattacks.
Maisons de l’Avenir, a renowned house builder in Brittany and Loire-Atlantique with over 60 years of experience, and Shinwa Co Ltd, a Japanese manufacturing company specializing in production equipment and materials, find themselves under the ominous shadow of LockBit ransomware. The looming February 4, 2024 deadline adds a sense of urgency to the situation. Despite the cyber threats, both targeted companies maintain operational websites.
LockBit’s notoriety stems from its consistent use of double extortion tactics, which involve encrypting victim data and threatening to leak sensitive information unless exorbitant ransom demands are met. This modus operandi raises concerns among cybersecurity experts globally, emphasizing the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to combat the evolving strategies of ransomware groups like LockBit.
