DeadLock ransomware: Breaking down a Rust-based encryptor with decentralized recovery infrastructure

In this article 1. Pre-encryption 2. Encryption 3. Post-encryption 4. Defending against DeadLock ransomware 5. Indicators of compromise Microsoft Threat Intelligence tracks DeadLock ransomware as an emerging financially motivated operation distinguished by its use of decentralized infrastructure ...

Operation Cronos and the Takedown of LockBit: A Cybersecurity Milestone

Running short on time but still want to stay in the know? Well, we’ve got you covered! We’ve condensed all the key takeaways into a handy audio summary. Introduction LockBit aka ABCD Ransomware, one of the most destructive ransomware groups in history, was dismantled in early 2024 through a...

Gang Wars: Breaking Trust Among Cyber Criminals

Gang Wars: Breaking Trust Among Cyber Criminals By John Fokker and Jambul Tologonov · August 5, 2025 Introduction In the final, unforgettable scene of the film Reservoir Dogs , a group of criminals — once united by a common goal — stand in a Mexican standoff, guns drawn, hearts pounding. Suspicio...

Chaos RaaS Emerges After BlackSuit Takedown, Demanding $300K from U.S. Victims

A newly emerged ransomware-as-a-service RaaS gang called Chaos is likely made up of former members of the BlackSuit crew, as the latter's dark web infrastructure has been the subject of a law enforcement seizure. Chaos, which sprang forth in February 2025, is the latest entrant in the ransomware...

From Backup to Cyber Resilience: Why IT Leaders Must Rethink Backup in the Age of Ransomware

With IT outages and disruptions escalating, IT teams are shifting their focus beyond simply backing up data to maintaining operations during an incident. One of the key drivers behind this shift is the growing threat of ransomware, which continues to evolve in both frequency and complexity...

Iranian-Backed Pay2Key Ransomware Resurfaces with 80% Profit Share for Cybercriminals

An Iranian-backed ransomware-as-a-service RaaS named Pay2Key has resurfaced in the wake of the Israel-Iran-U.S. conflict last month, offering bigger payouts to cybercriminals who launch attacks against Israel and the U.S. The financially motivated scheme, now operating under the moniker...

Qilin Ransomware Adds "Call Lawyer" Feature to Pressure Victims for Larger Ransoms

The threat actors behind the Qilin ransomware-as-a-service RaaS scheme are now offering legal counsel for affiliates to put more pressure on victims to pay up, as the cybercrime group intensifies its activity and tries to fill the void left by its rivals. The new feature takes the form of a "Call...

Former Black Basta Members Use Microsoft Teams and Python Scripts in 2025 Attacks

Former members tied to the Black Basta ransomware operation have been observed sticking to their tried-and-tested approach of email bombing and Microsoft Teams phishing to establish persistent access to target networks. "Recently, attackers have introduced Python script execution alongside these...

State of ransomware in 2025

Global ransomware trends and numbers With the International Anti-Ransomware Day just around the corner on May 12, Kaspersky explores the ever-changing ransomware threat landscape and its implications for cybersecurity. According to Kaspersky Security Network data, the number of ransomware...

Initial Access Brokers Shift Tactics, Selling More for Less

What are IABs? Initial Access Brokers IABs specialize in gaining unauthorized entry into computer systems and networks, then selling that access to other cybercriminals. This division of labor allows IABs to concentrate on their core expertise: exploiting vulnerabilities through methods like soci...

VanHelsing RaaS Launch: 3 Victims, $5K Entry Fee, Multi-OS, and Double Extortion Tactics

A ransomware-as-a-service RaaS operation called VanHelsing has already claimed three victims since it launched on March 7, 2025, demanding ransoms as high as $500,000. "The RaaS model allows a wide range of participants, from experienced hackers to newcomers, to get involved with a $5,000 deposit...

Analysis of Black Basta Ransomware Chat Leaks

Analysis of Black Basta Ransomware Chat Leaks By Jambul Tologonov and John Fokker · March 18, 2025 Introduction On Feb 11, 2025 a Telegram user @ExploitWhispers shared via their Telegram channel ‘shopotbasta’ EN: ‘basta whisper’ Black Basta RaaS Ransomware as a Service Matrix chat leaks containin...

The New Ransomware Groups Shaking Up 2025

In 2024, global ransomware attacks hit 5,414, an 11% increase from 2023. After a slow start, attacks spiked in Q2 and surged in Q4, with 1,827 incidents 33% of the year's total. Law enforcement actions against major groups like LockBit caused fragmentation, leading to more competition and a rise ...

RansomHub Becomes 2024's Top Ransomware Group, Hitting 600+ Organizations Globally

The threat actors behind the RansomHub ransomware-as-a-service RaaS scheme have been observed leveraging now-patched security flaws in Microsoft Active Directory and the Netlogon protocol to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to a victim network's domain controller as part of their...

AI-Driven Ransomware FunkSec Targets 85 Victims Using Double Extortion Tactics

Cybersecurity researchers have shed light on a nascent artificial intelligence AI assisted ransomware family called FunkSec that sprang forth in late 2024, and has claimed more than 85 victims to date. "The group uses double extortion tactics, combining data theft with encryption to pressure...

⚡ THN Weekly Recap: Top Cybersecurity Threats, Tools and Tips

The online world never takes a break, and this week shows why. From ransomware creators being caught to hackers backed by governments trying new tricks, the message is clear: cybercriminals are always changing how they attack, and we need to keep up. Hackers are using everyday tools in harmful...

Phobos: Stealthy Ransomware That Operated Under the Radar - Until Now

Phobos: Stealthy Ransomware That Operated Under the Radar - Until Now By Jambul Tologonov, John Fokker and Duy-Phuc Pham · November 20, 2024 On November 18th, the US Justice Department unsealed criminal charges against a Russian national for allegedly administering the sale, distribution, and...

North Korean Group Collaborates with Play Ransomware in Significant Cyber Attack

Threat actors linked to North Korea have been implicated in a recent incident that deployed a known ransomware family called Play, underscoring their financial motivations. The activity, observed between May and September 2024, has been attributed to a threat actor tracked as Jumpy Pisces , which...

New Qilin.B Ransomware Variant Emerges with Improved Encryption and Evasion Tactics

Cybersecurity researchers have discovered an advanced version of the Qilin ransomware sporting increased sophistication and tactics to evade detection. The new variant is being tracked by cybersecurity firm Halcyon under the moniker Qilin.B. "Notably, Qilin.B now supports AES-256-CTR encryption f...

Akira ransomware continues to evolve

Akira continues to cement its position as one of the most prevalent ransomware operations in the threat landscape, according to Cisco Talos' findings and analysis. Their success is partly due to the fact that they are constantly evolving. For example, after Akira already developed a new version o...