Pierluigi Paganini
June 25, 2026
Mistic is a stealthy backdoor used by KongTuke-linked actors to keep long-term access in ransomware-targeted networks. Mistic is the kind of backdoor that tells you the operator wants time, not noise. Symantec security researchers say it has shown up in financially motivated attacks against insurance, education, IT, and professional services firms, and they link it […]
Pierluigi Paganini
June 20, 2026
The Gentlemen equips affiliates with a centralized EDR-killer suite, rapidly weaponizing BYOVD exploits to disable security tools before ransomware attacks. ESET published a detailed breakdown of The Gentlemen‘s technical infrastructure on June 18, the result of months of incident-level investigation corroborated by the group’s own internal data leak from May 2026. Since emerging in late […]
Pierluigi Paganini
June 15, 2026
Mackay Sugar, Australia’s second-largest sugar producer, disclosed a cyberattack on June 10, potentially affecting key processing operations. Mackay Sugar is one of Australia’s largest sugar producers and the country’s second-largest sugar manufacturer. The company is based in the Mackay region of tropical North Queensland and has more than 140 years of history in sugar cane […]
Pierluigi Paganini
May 26, 2026
A 5-year study on the Ransomware Economy found that 30,515 exposed databases were hit by ransom attacks, causing massive damage despite victims never paying. Database extortion doesn’t look like the ransomware stories that usually grab headlines. There’s no slick branding, no leak-site countdown, no gang posting memes on Telegram. In most cases, there’s just a […]
Pierluigi Paganini
May 23, 2026
Ransomware gangs are shifting from encryption to pure extortion, focusing on stolen data, reputational pressure, and stealthier attacks. Ransomware groups are quietly changing strategy in 2026. Instead of encrypting systems and causing immediate disruption, many attackers are now focusing on pure extortion: stealing sensitive data and threatening to leak it publicly if victims refuse to […]
Pierluigi Paganini
May 02, 2026
Two US security experts were sentenced to 4 years for helping ransomware attacks. A third accomplice pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing. Two US cybersecurity professionals, Ryan Goldberg and Kevin Martin, were sentenced to four years in prison for their role in supporting ransomware attacks. Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy involving extortion. A third individual, Angelo […]
Pierluigi Paganini
April 23, 2026
Leaked data from RAMP reveals Russia’s ransomware ecosystem, analyzing 1,732 threads, 7,707 users, and 340,000 IP records from the forum. RAMP was not just another dark web forum. It was one of the clearest examples of how ransomware has become an organized marketplace, with sellers, buyers, brokers, and recruiters all playing different roles in the […]
Pierluigi Paganini
April 10, 2026
Dutch healthcare IT firm ChipSoft suffered a ransomware attack, forcing services and its HiX platform offline, impacting hospitals and patients. ChipSoft, a major Dutch provider of EHR systems, was hit by a ransomware attack that forced it to take its website and digital services offline, disrupting access for hospitals, healthcare providers, and patients. EHR (Electronic […]
Pierluigi Paganini
March 25, 2026
A Russian hacker got 2 years in prison, $100K fine, and $1.6M judgment for running a botnet used in ransomware attacks on U.S. firms. Russian national Ilya Angelov (40) was sentenced to 24 months in prison for operating a botnet used to carry out ransomware attacks on dozens of U.S. companies. He was also fined […]
Pierluigi Paganini
March 24, 2026
U.S. sentences Russian hacker Aleksei Volkov to 81 months in prison for aiding ransomware attacks, causing over $9M in damages. A U.S. court sentenced Aleksei Olegovich Volkov to 81 months in prison for supporting ransomware groups like Yanluowang. He helped carry out dozens of attacks, causing over $9M in losses. Arrested in Italy in 2024 […]
