{"id":2182073,"date":"2024-02-20T14:47:02","date_gmt":"2024-02-20T19:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/global-law-enforcement-agencies-take-down-most-notorious-ransomware-gang-to-date\/"},"modified":"2024-02-20T14:50:26","modified_gmt":"2024-02-20T19:50:26","slug":"global-law-enforcement-agencies-take-down-most-notorious-ransomware-gang-to-date","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/global-law-enforcement-agencies-take-down-most-notorious-ransomware-gang-to-date\/","title":{"rendered":"Global authorities dismantle largest ransomware gang ever"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fglobal-law-enforcement-agencies-take-down-most-notorious-ransomware-gang-to-date%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2182073&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p><!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo\u2063 by PHILIPPE HUGUEN\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>OAN\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oann.com\/tag\/james-meyers\/\">James Meyers<\/a><br \/>11:07 AM \u2013 Tuesday, February \u206320, 2024<\/p>\n<p>A combined global effort \u200bfrom <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/operation-dead-hand-19-indicted-in-intl-crime-syndicate\/\" title=\"19 individuals have been indicted in an international crime syndicate known as Operation Dead Hand\">international\u200b law enforcement agencies<\/a> has disrupted one of the most destructive strains of\u2063 ransomware in history. <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1663871513696-art-3\" style=\"min-width: 320px; min-height: 50px; text-align: center;\">  \t<script>  \t\tgoogletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1663871513696-art-3'); });  \t<\/script>  <\/div>\n<div class=\"ad-slot__ad-label\">Advertisement<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p>Agencies from the United States, United Kingdom and 12 other countries took apart Lockbit\u2019s infrastructure and replaced its dark web site with a list of agency press releases and resources for victims. <\/p>\n<p>Lockbit is ransomware that cyber criminals frequently use to attack American hospitals and schools. <\/p>\n<p>The takedown of Lockbit is considered one of the largest cybercrime takedowns to\u200d date. <\/p>\n<p>Brett Leatherman, \u200ddeputy \u2063assistant \u2064director of the FBI \u200cCyber \u2064Division, said in a press conference on Tuesday\u2064 that the historic takedown was \u201cseveral years in the making.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote data-service=\"twitter\" data-category=\"marketing\" data-placeholder-image=\"https:\/\/c3.oann.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/complianz-gdpr\/assets\/images\/placeholders\/twitter-minimal.jpg\" class=\"cmplz-placeholder-element twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FBI?src=hash&#038;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FBI<\/a> Deputy\u2063 Director Paul Abbate announced the successful disruption of the LockBit Ransomware Variant alongside our U.K. partners. If LockBit ransomware has victimized you or your organization, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/a2kerpzly4\">https:\/\/t.co\/a2kerpzly4<\/a> to learn possible decryption \u200bcapabilities. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/iXKsPAEdlF\">pic.twitter.com\/iXKsPAEdlF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014\u200d FBI (@FBI)\u2063 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FBI\/status\/1759907552433733762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 20, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-service=\"twitter\" data-category=\"marketing\" async data-cmplz-src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The takedown was called \u201cOperation Cronos,\u201d and law enforcement agencies arrested two LockBit\u200d members in\u2064 Poland and Ukraine, destroyed 34 data servers and froze over 200\u2064 cryptocurrency accounts, according to <em>Europol<\/em>. <\/p>\n<p>Additionally, four of\u2063 those servers were in the U.S., according to Leatherman.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the announcement comes after \u2063authorities\u200d already \u2063replaced LockBit\u2019s dark-web \u200cleak site, which the hacking \u2062group publicly lists its victims who have not paid\u2064 their ransom fee to unlock their\u200d systems. <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;ll continue gathering evidence, \u200bbuilding out our map \u2064of LockBit developers, administrators, and\u2063 affiliates, and using that knowledge to\u200d drive arrests, seizures,\u2064 and other operations, whether by the FBI or our partners\u2063 here and abroad,\u201d Leatherman said on the investigation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Furthermore, law enforcement has created a decryption \u200ctool \u2064that victims of LockBit can use to unlock their systems without paying a ransom. The tool is \u200bavailable in \u200c37 languages and has helped\u2064 over 6 million\u200d people globally,<em> Europol <\/em>said.<\/p>\n<p>Ransomware has become a major problem across the world, \u2064with victims sending their attackers a record $1 \u200cbillion last year. <\/p>\n<p>However, \u2064ransomware gangs are known for being able to rebuild and rebrand after\u2062 being\u200b caught by\u2063 law enforcement.<\/p>\n<p>Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oann.com\/alerts\">https:\/\/www.oann.com\/alerts<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"rc-widget-10bad2\" data-rc-widget data-widget-host=\"habitat\" data-endpoint=\"\/\/trends.revcontent.com\" data-widget-id=\"278641\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"dpsp-share-text\" style=\"margin-bottom:10px\"> \t\t \t\t\u200b \t\tShare this post!\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>A new Fox News poll shows President Trump leading President Joe Biden in the crucial swing states of North Carolina.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>with Roger Stone<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>with Dr. Rick Tsai<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>with Matt Maddock<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>The first \u2063human \u200dpatient implanted with a brain-chip from Neuralink appears to have fully recovered.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>A group of 20 tech companies announced \u2064they will work\u2064 together to prevent deceptive AI \u200bcontent from interfering with elections.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>OpenAI is working on a software\u200c that can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-cut-throat-venezuelan-gangs-recruiting-from-migrant-shelters\/\" title=\"Venezuelan gangs recruit from migrant shelters, report says\">generate minute-long videos based<\/a> on text prompts.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Activision Blizzard has been hit with a \u200bU.S. lawsuit claiming it restricts competition for organized gaming involving \u201cCall of Duty.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> rnrn  <\/p>\n<h2> What are some of the\u200b ways in which Operation Cronos disrupted the infrastructure \u200band operations of LockBit<\/h2>\n<p><span>  CkBit can use to\u200d unlock their systems without paying \u2062the ransom. The tool is available on the\u2062 FBI&#8217;s website, as well \u2062as \u200con the websites of other participating\u200c law enforcement agencies.<\/p>\n<p>LockBit ransomware gained notoriety for its sophisticated encryption \u2063methods and its targeting of \u200bcritical infrastructure, including hospitals \u200band \u2064schools. It has caused significant disruptions and financial\u200d losses\u200b for organizations around the world.<\/p>\n<p>Operation Cronos was a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies from the United States, \u2062the \u200bUnited\u200c Kingdom, and 12 other \u200ccountries. The operation involved extensive coordination\u2064 and\u2063 cooperation between agencies to gather evidence, track down the members of LockBit, and dismantle their\u200d infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>The \u2063two arrests made in Poland and \u2063Ukraine\u200c are significant\u200d milestones in the investigation. These\u200b individuals are believed to be high-ranking \u200cmembers of the \u2063ransomware\u200c group\u200c and were responsible for the development \u200band administration of LockBit.<\/p>\n<p>The destruction of 34 data servers and \u200dthe freezing of over 200 cryptocurrency accounts have dealt a significant blow to LockBit&#8217;s \u200boperations. By disrupting their infrastructure, law enforcement agencies have hindered the\u200b group&#8217;s ability to \u200bcarry out\u200c further attacks.<\/p>\n<p>It\u200d is \u200dworth \u2063noting that four of the destroyed\u2064 servers\u2062 were located in the United States, indicating the global reach of LockBit.\u2062 This highlights the\u200b importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime.<\/p>\n<p>The replacement of LockBit&#8217;s dark web \u200cleak site is also a significant development. This\u200b site served as\u200d a platform\u2062 for the group to publicly shame and pressure their victims into paying \u2064the ransom.\u200d By taking over the \u200dsite\u2063 and replacing it with agency\u2062 press\u2063 releases and\u2064 resources \u200bfor victims, law enforcement has\u2064 disrupted LockBit&#8217;s operations and\u2064 provided support for those affected by the ransomware.<\/p>\n<p>Operation Cronos demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combatting\u2063 cybercrime and protecting individuals\u200d and organizations from the devastating effects of ransomware attacks. It also underscores the \u200bimportance of collaboration and information sharing between agencies \u200don a global \u2063scale.<\/p>\n<p>Brett Leatherman, \u2062deputy \u200cassistant director of the \u2064FBI\u200b Cyber Division, emphasized the\u200c ongoing\u200c efforts to gather\u200b evidence and target not only the developers and administrators of LockBit but also its affiliates. This\u200c demonstrates a \u200csustained commitment to pursuing \u200djustice and disrupting the operations\u200b of cybercriminals.<\/p>\n<p>Law enforcement&#8217;s creation \u200bof a decryption tool\u200d for LockBit victims is a significant development. It provides an alternative to paying the ransom \u2062and empowers victims to regain access to their systems without supporting \u2062the criminal\u2063 activities of the ransomware\u2063 group.<\/p>\n<p>Operation Cronos serves as a reminder that no organization or individual is alone\u200d in the fight against cybercrime. The collaboration\u200c between\u200d law enforcement agencies and the development of tools \u200band resources to counter ransomware\u2064 attacks are crucial steps in protecting \u2064society from the ever-evolving threat \u200bof cybercriminals.<\/p>\n<p>As technology \u2063continues to \u2063advance, it is \u2063essential for law enforcement agencies to stay ahead \u200bof cybercriminals and work together to dismantle\u2063 their\u200d operations. Operation Cronos is a prime example of the success that can\u200d be achieved through international cooperation\u2064 and a united effort to combat cybercrime.<\/p>\n<p>The takedown of LockBit is a significant \u2063win in the ongoing battle against ransomware, but it\u200d is by \u2062no means the end. Law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts must remain vigilant and proactive in their efforts to\u200c protect individuals and organizations from the devastating consequences\u200b of such attacks.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"zzx_r2283880286\"><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/www.zergnet.com\/zerg.js?id=2283880\"><\/script> <\/body><\/html><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>OAN&#8217;s James Meyers reports that a global collaboration of law enforcement agencies successfully dismantled Lockbit&#8217;s ransomware infrastructure, considered one of the most damaging strains ever. The United States, United Kingdom, and 12 other nations were involved in this significant operation<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2301,"featured_media":2182074,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/c3.oann.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/GettyImages-909251486-e1708454816716.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[542],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2182073","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-oann"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/c3.oann.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/GettyImages-909251486-e1708454816716.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2182073","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2301"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2182073"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2182073\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2182074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2182073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2182073"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2182073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}