Security News > 2022 > January > FBI: Hackers use BadUSB to target defense firms with ransomware
The Federal Bureau of Investigation warned US companies in a recently updated flash alert that the financially motivated FIN7 cybercriminal group targeted the US defense industry with packages containing malicious USB devices to deploy ransomware.
The attackers mailed packages containing 'BadUSB' or 'Bad Beetle USB' devices with the LilyGO logo, commonly available for sale on the Internet.
They used the United States Postal Service and United Parcel Service to email the malicious packages to businesses in the transportation and insurance industries since August 2021 and defense firms starting with November 2021.
Since August, reports received by the FBI say that these malicious packages also contain letters about COVID-19 guidelines or counterfeit gift cards and forged thank you notes, depending on the impersonated entity.
FIN7's end goal in such attacks is to access the victims' networks and deploy ransomware within a compromised network using various tools, including Metasploit, Cobalt Strike, Carbanak malware, the Griffon backdoor, and PowerShell scripts.
These attacks follow another series of incidents the FBI warned about two years ago when FIN7 operators impersonated Best Buy and mailed similar packages with malicious flash drives via USPS to hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses.
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