Cyber Security
Law Enforcement Agencies Take Down Ransomware As A Service Cyber Gang Lockbit!
By TechDogs Bureau
Updated on Tue, Feb 20, 2024
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Additionally, this has been accompanied by an increase in the number of cybercriminals and cybercrime groups, especially those offering ransomware as a service.
However, law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity organizations are also on the prowl, hunting down these digital criminals. This is done by identifying individuals or groups or taking involved in such activities and shutting down their servers or websites.
Now, one such rare instance has transpired, announced by US and UK cybersecurity authorities.
So, what happened and how will it benefit businesses, organizations and people? Let’s explore!
What Was Announced?
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Operation Cronos – the name given to the international law enforcement operation undertaken by a coalition of agencies, including Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Europol and others.
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Other international police organizations that are a part of the operation include those from France, Japan, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland and Germany.
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Through the operation, the coalition gained control and took down Lockbit’s extortion website.
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Currently, the website’s homepage displays a banner with a message from the coalition along with their logos and emblems.
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The message on the home page reads, “The site is now under the control of law enforcement. This site is now under the control of The National Crime Agency of the UK, working in close cooperation with the FBI and the international law enforcement task force, ‘Operation Cronos’.”
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Additionally, the home page blares a message that reads, “We can confirm that Lockbit’s services have been disrupted as a result of International Law Enforcement action – this is an ongoing and developing operation. Return here for more information at: 11:30 GMT on Tuesday 20th Feb.”
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According to US officials, Lockbit has hacked some of the biggest organizations in the world and has impacted over 1,700 organizations across numerous industries, including financial services, food, schools, transportation, government departments and more.
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Lockbit was first found in 2020 when its malicious software was discovered on Russian-language cybercrime forums, which led to experts to believe the gang is based in Russia.
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However, the gang has not revealed support for any government but had mentioned on its website that it was “located in the Netherlands, completely apolitical and only interested in money”.
What Did The Involved Parties Say?
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While the FBI didn’t immediately comment on the matter, a spokesperson eventually did mention that, “There will be a formal announcement and additional details to follow.”
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Jon DiMaggio, Chief Security Strategist at Analyst1, a cybersecurity firm, said, “They are the Walmart of ransomware groups, they run it like a business – that’s what makes them different ... They are arguably the biggest ransomware crew today.”
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Allan Liska, a ransomware expert at Recorded Future, a cybersecurity firm, said, “It is highly unlikely core members of the LockBit group will be arrested as part of this operation, since they are based in Russia.”
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However, Liska believes the move “means there will be a significant, if short lived, impact on the ransomware ecosystem and a slow-down in attacks.”
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Liska added, “LockBit has also developed a reputation as one of the most ruthless ransomware operators, encouraging affiliates to target hospitals and schools ... My hope is that these sectors will get some breathing room to build their defenses.”
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On the other hand, while Lockbit didn’t respond to requests for comments, the group did post messages on an encrypted messaging application to reveal that it did possess backup servers that remained unaffected by law enforcement agencies.
Do you think Lockbit will make a comeback online under a new alias? Can law enforcement agencies track down more ransomware groups and make the web a more secure place?
Let us know in the comments below!
First published on Tue, Feb 20, 2024
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