The APT group with the Akira ransomware remains extremely active. After the first occurrence in March 2023, there are now officially 171 victims - according to the company Logpoint. In addition to South Westphalia IT (SIT), even zoos are among the victims.
The Akira ransomware has been actively attacking companies worldwide and has made headlines in 2023 by causing extensive damage and attracting the attention of cybersecurity authorities. In December, the Finnish National Center for Cybersecurity (NCSC-FI) reported that the Akira ransomware was carrying out increased attacks in Finland, wiping out NAS and tape backup devices.
The group exploits vulnerabilities in the VPN functionality of Cisco devices, such as CVE-2023-20269. In addition to SIT (Südwestfalen IT) in Germany The best-known victim in Europe is a Scandinavian IT service provider. At the end of January it also hit a zoo in Canada.
11 months, 171 victims, countless attack attempts
The security analysts at Logpoint had already published a blog with technical details last year. Since its discovery in March 2023, the Akira ransomware regularly infects corporate networks, encrypts private data and demands high ransom payments. As of January 2024, security researchers documented more than 171 victims worldwide.
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The group continues to pose a significant threat and has impacted various industries worldwide, with a focus on the education, finance, real estate, manufacturing and consulting sectors.
Akira as RaaS – Ransomware-as-a-Service
Offered as ransomware-as-a-service, Akira ransomware demonstrates its versatility by attacking both Windows and Linux systems. Victims are forced to pay a double ransom to restore access to their files. It is noteworthy that 85,9 percent of the affected organizations are based in the USA and Canada.
Security teams worldwide are required to align their cybersecurity efforts with threat actors and mitigate the threat posed by Akira.
More at Logpoint.com
About Logpoint
Logpoint protects society in a digital world by helping customers and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) detect cyberattacks. By combining reliable technology with a deep understanding of cybersecurity challenges, Logpoint simplifies security operations and gives organizations the freedom to evolve. Logpoint's SIEM and NDR technologies improve visibility and provide a layered approach to cybersecurity, helping customers and MSSPs in Europe navigate the complex threat landscape.
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