Ransomware crypto payments hit at least $602M last year: Chainalysis
The total amount of value extracted through ransomware payments in 2021 is expected to rise above 2020 levels once all the data is sorted through. A new report estimates that ransomware payments tallied at least $602 million in 2021 — but the actual total could be much higher.Blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis released new data on Feb. 10 about ransomware activity related to cryptocurrency in 2021. However it stated that the total value is likely to end up surpassing the $692 million taken in 2020.“In fact, despite these numbers, anecdotal evidence, plus the fact that ransomware revenue....
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Ransomware has been on the rise as of late, and it is a cyber security threat a lot of businesses and government services are taking seriously. According to Chainalysis, the blockchain monitoring company, more ransomware-related arrests from law enforcement are on the horizon. Can Companies Like Chainalysis Curb Ransomware and Cyber Crime? Cybercriminals....
“Following the flow of ransomware payments on the blockchain is instrumental for law enforcement to understand and dismantle ransomware operations,” said Chainalysis CEO Michael Gronager. Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis has purchased cybercrime investigative company Excygent for an undisclosed amount, hinting the two will continue to work together to help “dismantle ransomware operations.”In an Oct. 5 announcement, Chainalysis CEO Michael Gronager said the firm had collaborated with Excygent on projects including seizing cryptocurrency connected to the now defunct darknet market Silk....
A blockchain research firm, Chainalysis, revealed crypto-ransomware attacks of 2021 racked up $602 million in Bitcoin and other currencies, and that figure could be even higher. In addition, the report pronounced a Russian-based hacker group named Conti as the most active and largest group of hackers by revenue last year. The analysis firm expressed that they have counted for all of it yet, and the figure of stolen money may be even more extensive, rising as high as $1 billion. Related Reading | Over $5 Billion In BTC Paid In Top 10 Ransomware Variants, Says U.S. Treasury In a....
A surge in ransomware in 2021 has also resulted in a surge in Monero usage as the method of payment as more criminal groups want only XMR. A new report by blockchain analytics firm CipherTrace highlights the growing role that privacy-focused cryptocurrencies such as Monero are playing in the rising tide of ransomware.“Current Trends in Ransomware” delves into trends observed during 2021 but was only released this week. The firm revealed there was almost a 500% increase in “double extortion” ransomware attacks from 2020 to 2021. These are cyber attacks in which malicious actors steal a....
The CEO of Chainalysis expects law enforcement agencies armed with the company's technology to catch up with those responsible for ransomware attacks soon. The reign of terror unleashed by Bitcoin ransomware may soon come to an end. According to the blockchain analysis company Chainalysis, law enforcement agencies are gearing up to combat cyber crimes of this nature. Ransomware attacks have seen a drastic rise in the recent days. Cybercriminals, who were initially targeting individual users for small ransoms have graduated to bigger targets. Some of the recent targets include big....