The activities of Evil Corp and the ransomware attack on UMC Health System highlight the growing and evolving threats in the cyber landscape. The notorious Russian state-funded cyber threat group known as Evil Corp has recently made headlines for its targeted cyber attacks against NATO countries. In a separate but related incident, the University Medical Center Health System (UMC) in Texas experienced a significant ransomware attack on September 26 of this year. The rising frequency of ransomware attacks targeting healthcare networks poses a significant challenge, as these institutions often find themselves with limited options for evading ransom demands. Evil Corp first garnered significant attention in 2019 when law enforcement agencies caught them engaged in espionage activities against NATO nations. The NCA’s investigations revealed that Yakubets has cleverly navigated the complexities of international law, effectively transporting indicted members of Evil Corp to Moscow, where they are sheltered from U.S. scrutiny. Central to their operations is Maksim Yakubets, the group’s leader, who reportedly utilizes his father-in-law, Eduard Bendersky—a figure of considerable political influence—to shield those indicted in the United States from prosecution. That same year, they expanded their operations to include ransomware attacks on various corporate networks throughout North America. These attacks often exploited public Wi-Fi networks in places like airports and cafes, facilitating the rapid spread of malware and underscoring the vulnerabilities of even well-established organizations. The attack resulted in a temporary shutdown of crucial medical systems, disrupting operations across the facility, which serves over 30 clinics and employs more than 4,000 individuals.
This Cyber News was published on www.cybersecurity-insiders.com. Publication date: Tue, 01 Oct 2024 16:13:07 +0000