Ransomware demands are growing, but life is getting tougher for malware gangs

ZDNet: Average ransom payments in 2022 have increased to over $800,000 – up from $170,000 in 2020. Furthermore, victims who pay over $1 million in ransoms have increased to 11%, up from 4% in 2020. However, due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, more American businesses are refusing to pay ransom to these criminals, as many come from this region. But there are still far too many companies who will pay high sums of money for a decryption key, so ransomware groups won’t be stopping anytime soon.

UK Government Officials Infected with Pegasus 

Citizen Lab: Digital rights watchdog group Citizen Lab warned British officials that Pegasus spyware was connected to government networks, including inside the Prime Minister’s office. Pegasus is spyware developed by the Israeli cyber-arms company NSO Group. This spyware allows governments to extract data, record phone calls and can secretly turn on a phone’s microphone and camera. Asked for comment from the British government, a spokesperson said “we do not routinely comment on security matters.” 

More: Tech Target | Reuters | BBC

Coca-Cola investigating claims of hack after ransomware group hawks stolen data

The Record: Beverage giant Coca-Cola is investigating reports of a data breach after Stormous, a pro-Russia hacking group, has reportedly 161GB of stolen documents. While the screenshots of the documents cannot be verified as being real, the group is trying to sell the stolen data for $64,000. It’s not surprising that the group has decided to attack American companies as the war continues between Russia and Ukraine. 

More: Dark Reading | @_betterCyber_