A criminal group known for using ransomware was recently caught off guard when its own website was tampered with. The website, which the gang normally uses to publish stolen data from their victims, was replaced with a short message warning against illegal activity. The message read: “Don’t do crime. CRIME IS BAD. xoxo from Prague.” What a sneaky way to reference gossip girl, isn't it?
At the time of this report, the website remained altered. It is not yet known if the person or group behind the hack also accessed any files or data belonging to the ransomware gang.
The group, known by the name Everest, has been involved in several cyberattacks since it first appeared in 2020. It is believed to be based in Russia. Over the years, Everest has taken credit for stealing large amounts of data, including information from a popular cannabis store chain, which affected hundreds of thousands of customers. Government agencies in the United States and Brazil have also been listed among their victims.
Ransomware attacks like these are designed to scare companies and organizations into paying money in exchange for keeping their private information from being made public. But recent reports suggest that fewer victims are giving in to the demands. More businesses have started refusing to pay, which has made these attacks less profitable for criminals.
While international law enforcement agencies have had some success in shutting down hacking groups, Everest has managed to stay active. However, this incident shows that even experienced cybercriminals are not safe from being attacked themselves. Some believe this could have been done by a rival group, or possibly even someone from within the gang who turned against them.
It’s also not the first time that cybercrime groups have been sabotaged. In the past few years, other well-known ransomware gangs have faced setbacks due to both police actions and internal leaks.
This unusual case is forces us to face the inevitable reality that no one is completely untouchable online. Whether it’s a company or a hacker group, all digital systems can have weak points. People and organizations should always keep their online systems protected and stay alert to threats.
