Ransomware Attacks: Hackers Put Pressure on Those Who Don't Pay

Cybercriminals are carrying out increasingly invasive ransomware attacks. They analyze stolen data to create new extortion opportunities

Ransomware attacks have become a growing threat across all sectors, with online gaming platforms being especially vulnerable due to high data traffic and valuable user information. These attacks not only threaten site operations but also damage user trust. In response, many gambling platforms are adopting stricter security protocols and decentralized solutions to protect both their systems and players. As discussed on zahranicnicasino.net, top foreign casinos now prioritize cybersecurity as part of their core infrastructure. This alignment of safety and entertainment ensures that players can enjoy their games with peace of mind in an increasingly hostile digital environment.

A major cyber scourge, ransomware attacks are becoming even more dangerous and victims who refuse to pay the ransom are facing increasingly threatening extortion attempts. Sophos, a global specialist in innovative security solutions to neutralize cyberattacks, has published a new report on the dark web, “Turning the Screws: The Pressure Tactics of Ransomware Gangs,” which details how cybercriminals are using stolen data to increase pressure on targets who refuse to pay.

Ransomware attackers raise the stakes

This includes sharing contact details or doxing family members of CEOs and owners of companies targeted by ransomware attacks, as well as threatening to report to authorities any information about illegal business activities discovered in stolen data.

In the new report, Sophos X-Ops shares posts found on the dark web that show how ransomware attackers are referring to their targets as “irresponsible and negligent” and, in some cases, encouraging individual victims whose personal information has been stolen to file a lawsuit against their employer.

Sophos X-Ops also found several posts from ransomware attackers describing their plans to search for information within stolen data to use as leverage if companies don’t pay up. For example, in one post, the WereWolves ransomware actor noted that any stolen data is subject to “a criminal legal assessment, a commercial assessment, and a competitor insider assessment.”

In another case, the Monti ransomware group said it had identified an employee at one of the companies it targeted in its attack who was looking for child sexual abuse material and threatened to contact the police with the information if the company didn’t pay the ransom.

These messages align with a broader trend of criminals trying to extort increasingly sensitive employee, customer, or patient data from companies, including medical records, children’s health records, “patient sexual health information,” and “nude patient images.” In one of the ransomware attacks Sophos analyzed, the Qiulong ransomware group posted the personal information of a CEO’s daughter, along with a link to her Instagram profile.

Ransomware attacks are becoming a serious threat to online industries, especially gambling platforms that handle vast amounts of sensitive data. These attacks not only disrupt operations but also create financial strain on those who fall victim. To reduce exposure, operators and players alike must consider risk management strategies. One effective approach is financial diversification within gaming, such as seen in https://collegeinsider.com/how-to-allocate-the-budget-among-different-games-to-minimize-risks, where budgeting across different games minimizes potential losses. In both cybersecurity and gaming, strategic planning is the key to long-term sustainability.

Quotes

“In December 2023, in the wake of the MGM Casino breach, Sophos began to see cybercriminals leveraging the media as a tool to not only increase pressure on victims, but also to seize control of the narrative and shift blame for the attack. We’re also increasingly seeing cybercriminals singling out business leaders they believe are “responsible” for the ransomware attack at targeted companies. In one post we found, attackers posted a photo of a businessman with devil horns, along with his Social Security number. In another post, attackers encouraged employees to seek “compensation” from their company, and in other cases, threatened to notify customers, partners, and competitors of the data breach. These attempts increase pressure on companies to pay up and potentially compound the reputational damage of an attack,” said Christopher Budd, director of threat research at Sophos. “Cybercriminal gangs behind ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly invasive and bold in how and what they target. To compound the pressure on businesses, they are not just stealing data and threatening to release it, they are actively analyzing it to maximize damage and create new extortion opportunities. This means organizations need to worry not only about corporate espionage and the loss of trade secrets or illegal activity by employees, but also about the collateral damage of these cyberattacks.”

Ransomware attacks are increasingly targeting sectors with high transaction volumes, including online gambling platforms. These attacks not only disrupt operations but also expose vulnerabilities in data protection and user trust. As casinos respond with enhanced cybersecurity measures, players are also seeking platforms that combine safety with affordability. A good example is https://www.back2gaming.com/gaming/online-casino-with-a-minimum-deposit-of-200-czech-crowns/, where players can enjoy secure gameplay with a modest deposit. This balance between digital safety and financial accessibility is becoming essential in today’s online gambling space.