REvil ransomware: Hackers demand a whopping $260,000

By Jacob Wolinsky for ValueWalk
Tuesday, January 28, 2020

• 2.5k
• More

Security researchers, KPN, have sinkholed the REvil ransomware servers and intercepted communications between REvil-infected computers and the REvil ransomware’s command-and-control servers to gain unique insights into the operations of the REvil Ransomware as a Service. They discovered information on the number of active infections, the number of infected computers per attack and the sum of money that hackers requested from victims in each recent incident, which averages a whopping $260,000.

Ekaterina Khrustaleva, COO of ImmuniWeb, comments regarding revil ransomware: “Ransomware attacks are becoming more sophisticated, organized and thus incredibly dangerous in terms of financial losses. Usage of cryptocurrencies make criminals virtually untraceable, spurring a rapid proliferation of ransomware ecosystem. With the recent rise of targeted campaigns, exposing encrypted data if the victim refuses to pay, organizations and companies across the globe should urgently re-consider the risks of ransomware.

Holistic visibility and inventory of digital assets is a wise starting point, as you cannot protect what you cannot see. Human factor (in cases like revil ransomware) is also a pivotal factor apt to undermine the integrity of technical efforts, so organizations need to consider investing into continuous cybersecurity trainings." Read Full Article