Hackers known as the “Nevada Group” have carried out one of the largest ransomware attacks in history, targeting computer networks of nearly 5,000 victims in the US and Europe. According to the Financial Times, the Nevada Group began its attack three weeks ago by exploiting a vulnerability in code found in cloud servers. It has targeted a range of victims, including American and Hungarian universities and Italian shipping and construction firms. However, victims have reportedly declined to comment on the attacks, saying they have been asked not to do so by law enforcement.
The attacks come amid a significant increase in ransomware attacks targeting industrial businesses and the subsequent prioritisation of digital fraud and risk management tools. The report quotes Shmuel Gihon, a security researcher at Israel’s CyberInt, who said that the scale of the Nevada Group’s campaign was among the biggest ever seen, and warned that veteran groups see the potential damage they can cause, meaning copycat attacks could follow.
The identity of the hackers is currently unknown, with experts guessing only from their internet recruiting announcements that it is a mix of hackers from Russia and China. Security researchers have expressed concern that the Nevada Group’s attacks could lead to copycat hackers using similar tactics. The report calls for a prioritization of digital risk management and fraud prevention tools, which have become essential for companies to defend themselves against cybercriminals.
