Menu

  • Alerts
  • Incidents
  • News
  • APTs
  • Cyber Decoded
  • Cyber Hygiene
  • Cyber Review
  • Cyber Tips
  • Definitions
  • Malware
  • Threat Actors
  • Tutorials

Useful Tools

  • Password generator
  • Report an incident
  • Report to authorities
No Result
View All Result
CTF Hack Havoc
CyberMaterial
  • Education
    • Cyber Decoded
    • Definitions
  • Information
    • Alerts
    • Incidents
    • News
  • Insights
    • Cyber Hygiene
    • Cyber Review
    • Tips
    • Tutorials
  • Support
    • Contact Us
    • Report an incident
  • About
    • About Us
    • Advertise with us
Get Help
Hall of Hacks
  • Education
    • Cyber Decoded
    • Definitions
  • Information
    • Alerts
    • Incidents
    • News
  • Insights
    • Cyber Hygiene
    • Cyber Review
    • Tips
    • Tutorials
  • Support
    • Contact Us
    • Report an incident
  • About
    • About Us
    • Advertise with us
Get Help
No Result
View All Result
Hall of Hacks
CyberMaterial
No Result
View All Result
Home Alerts

Ransomware Victims Face Fake Ethical Hackers

January 10, 2024
Reading Time: 3 mins read
in Alerts

Organizations hit by the Royal and Akira ransomware groups are facing a new threat as a malicious actor pretends to be a security researcher, promising to hack back the initial attacker and delete stolen victim data. These ransomware groups employ the double extortion tactic, encrypting systems and threatening to leak stolen information unless a ransom is paid. Cybersecurity firm Arctic Wolf has uncovered instances where victims who paid a ransom were approached by an imposter claiming ethical hacking expertise, offering to erase the stolen data on the attackers’ servers for a fee of up to five Bitcoins (around $190,000).

Arctic Wolf’s report highlights two cases in October and November 2023, where the fake researcher contacted organizations previously compromised by Royal and Akira ransomware. In the first case, the imposter posed as the ‘Ethical Side Group’ (ESG), initially attributing the attack to the ‘TommyLeaks’ gang before claiming access to Royal’s server. The second incident involved the scammer using the name ‘xanonymoux,’ offering to delete files on Akira’s servers or provide access to the actor’s server. Notably, both attempts shared ten common phrases in their initial communications, suggesting the same individual was behind both.

Ransomware attacks pose ongoing challenges for victims, and these scam attempts by fake ethical hackers add another layer of complexity and risk. The imposter’s deceptive tactics exploit the vulnerable position of victims who have already paid a ransom, compounding the financial burden and highlighting the multifaceted nature of the challenges faced by organizations in the aftermath of ransomware incidents. The incidents underscore the need for heightened vigilance and comprehensive cybersecurity measures to mitigate the evolving and diverse threats associated with ransomware attacks.

Reference:
  • Follow-On Extortion Campaign Targeting Victims of Akira and Royal Ransomware
Tags: Akira ransomwareCyber AlertCyber Alerts 2024Cyber RiskCyber threatDouble extortionJanuary 2024RansomwareRoyal Ransomware
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

Forminator Plugin Flaw Risks 600,000 Sites

Forminator Plugin Flaw Risks 600,000 Sites

July 2, 2025
Forminator Plugin Flaw Risks 600,000 Sites

Oil-Themed Phishing Spreads Snake Keylogger

July 2, 2025
Forminator Plugin Flaw Risks 600,000 Sites

Kimsuky Tricks Users Into Self Hacking

July 2, 2025
C4 Bomb Cracks Chrome Cookie Encryption

Scammers Use Fake Ads to Steal Pi Wallets

July 1, 2025
C4 Bomb Cracks Chrome Cookie Encryption

Blind Eagle Uses VBS Scripts to Deploy RATs

July 1, 2025
C4 Bomb Cracks Chrome Cookie Encryption

C4 Bomb Cracks Chrome Cookie Encryption

July 1, 2025

Latest Alerts

Oil-Themed Phishing Spreads Snake Keylogger

Forminator Plugin Flaw Risks 600,000 Sites

Kimsuky Tricks Users Into Self Hacking

Scammers Use Fake Ads to Steal Pi Wallets

Blind Eagle Uses VBS Scripts to Deploy RATs

C4 Bomb Cracks Chrome Cookie Encryption

Subscribe to our newsletter

    Latest Incidents

    Cyberattack on Brazils CM Software Vendor

    Cyberattack Halts Hero España Production

    Hacker Attack on Australian Airline Qantas

    Cyberattack Hits Austrian Hospital Vendor

    Sophisticated Attack Hits War Crimes Court

    Ransomware Hits Swiss Government Vendor

    CyberMaterial Logo
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Jobs
    • Legal and Privacy Policy
    • Site Map

    © 2025 | CyberMaterial | All rights reserved

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password?

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In

    Add New Playlist

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Alerts
    • Incidents
    • News
    • Cyber Decoded
    • Cyber Hygiene
    • Cyber Review
    • Definitions
    • Malware
    • Cyber Tips
    • Tutorials
    • Advanced Persistent Threats
    • Threat Actors
    • Report an incident
    • Password Generator
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us

    Copyright © 2025 CyberMaterial