Major Criminal Gang’s Ransomware Site Reportedly Taken Down by Law Enforcement
Published: February 20, 2024
LockBit’s Website Seized by Law Enforcement
An online site allegedly operated by LockBit, a major criminal gang involved in ransomware cyber attacks, has seemingly been brought under the control of law enforcement, according to the latest reports.
Coordinated Effort Involving Multi-National Task Forces
British law enforcement agency, the National Crime Agency, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol), and a coalition of international police agencies, conducted a joint operation to dismantle LockBit’s infrastructure, pointing towards a major win against cybercriminal activities.
A Notorious Criminal Gang
LockBit has long been associated with the trade of compromising computer networks and extorting ransom payments in exchange for safekeeping the compromised data. They have been included in numerous high-profile hacking incidents, including the United Kingdom’s Royal Mail attack earlier in 2023, which further brought them to the forefront of international attention.
An Enduring Threat
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), alongside partner agencies from various countries, including the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and New Zealand, has repeatedly warned about the persistent dangers posed by the LockBit group. In fact, the group’s ransomware variant, the LockBit software, has been identified as one of the most widely deployed ransomware strains globally in 2022, and its activity has shown no signs of slowing down in 2023.
Origins and Prior Investigations
LockBit was first discovered in 2020 and initially caught analysts’ attention on Russian-language forums. This led to speculations about the group’s possible origins, as some analysts believe LockBit’s operations might be based in Russia. However, the precise location and extent of the group’s operations still remain subjects of ongoing investigations and intelligence gathering.
Securing the Ransomware Landscape
The operation against LockBit’s website represents a significant step forward in disrupting cybercriminal syndicates and safeguarding the digital landscape. More updates about the ongoing operation are expected to be released by the authorities.
