Rhysida (hacker group)

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Rhysida is a ransomware group that encrypts data on victims' computer systems and threatens to make it publicly available unless a ransom is paid. [1] The group uses eponymous ransomware-as-a-service techniques, targets large organisations rather than making random attacks on individuals, and demands large sums of money to restore data. [2] The group perpetrated the notable 2023 British Library cyberattack [1] and Insomniac Games data dump. [3] It has targeted many organisations, including some in the US healthcare sector, and the Chilean army. [4]

Contents

In November 2023, the US agencies Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), FBI and MS-ISAC published an alert about the Rhysida ransomware and the actors behind it, [5] with information about the techniques the ransomware uses to infiltrate targets and its mode of operation. [6]

The group takes its name from the genus of centipedes, and uses a centipede logo. [4]

Attacks

Ransomware as a service

The US CISA report states: [6]

Threat actors leveraging Rhysida ransomware are known to impact “targets of opportunity,” including victims in the education, healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, and government sectors. Open source reporting details similarities between Vice Society (DEV-0832) activity and the actors observed deploying Rhysida ransomware. Additionally, open source reporting has confirmed observed instances of Rhysida actors operating in a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) capacity, where ransomware tools and infrastructure are leased out in a profit-sharing model. Any ransoms paid are then split between the group and the affiliates.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Library cyberattack</span> Ransomware attack on major UK library

In October 2023, Rhysida, a hacker group, attacked the online information systems of the British Library. They demanded a ransom of 20 bitcoin, at the time around £596,000, to restore services and return the stolen data. When the British Library did not acquiesce to the attempt, Rhysida publicly released approximately 600GB of leaked material online. It has been described as "one of the worst cyber incidents in British history".

References

  1. 1 2 Milmo, Dan (2023-11-24). "Rhysida, the new ransomware gang behind British Library cyber-attack". The Guardian. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  2. ↑ Hollingworth, David (19 December 2023). "Snikt! Rhysida dumps more than a terabyte of Insomniac Games' internal data". www.cyberdaily.au. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  3. 1 2 Acres, Tom (2023-12-20). "Wolverine: What we know about the cyberattack that leaked one of PlayStation's most anticipated games". Sky News.
  4. 1 2 3 Cluley, Graham (10 August 2023). "Rhysida ransomware – what you need to know". Tripwire.
  5. ↑ "CISA, FBI, and MS-ISAC Release Advisory on Rhysida Ransomware". Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). 15 November 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  6. 1 2 "#StopRansomware: Rhysida Ransomware". Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). 15 November 2023. Alert Code AA23-319A. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  7. ↑ "Insomniac: PlayStation studio 'angered' by ransomware hack". BBC News. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  8. ↑ "Rhysida Ransomware Gang Strikes Again, Targets Chilean Army And Martinique". The Cyber Express. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  9. ↑ Bush, Bill. "Hackers release reams of stolen Columbus data on dark web". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  10. ↑ "Sea-Tac cyberattack caused by global ransomware gang, Port says". The Seattle Times. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
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