Inflation Nation: BlackSuit Ransomware’s Price Surge

The concept of a ransom attack is always an uncomfortable prospect and a terrifying reality. But now, ransomware is being infected by something that will strike fear into the hearts of my fellow Millennials and Gen Z: inflation.

New word has come from the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warning the public of a ransomware group whose demands are as inflated as the price of rent, as their base payment starts at $60 million, and they have managed a staggering total income of $500 million so far.

These hackers originally called themselves Royal Ransomware but have since rebranded to BlackSuit. The CISA report notes that BlackSuit has not reinvented the wheel, following the tried and true methods of ransomware crime: data exfiltration and extortion prior to encryption and publication of victim data to a leak site as leverage when it comes to the ransom demand.

Attacks like these hit both the data infostructure, and are also willing to go after personal information and indiscretions. So remember everyone, constant vigilance is required for your cybersecurity defenses. After all, we certainly won’t make our student loan payments, should we get hit by the BlackSuits.

Stay safe out there!

#CyberSecurity #Ransomware #DataProtection #InflationImpact #FBIWarning #MillennialsAndGenZ #CyberCrime #DataSecurity #CyberAwareness Assured Data Protection

Sources:

• FBI Issues Warning As 'Men In Black' Hackers Demand $60 Million Ransom
• Royal Ransomware Actors Rebrand as BlackSuit; FBI and CISA Release Update Advisory