Security News > 2022 > February > BlackCat (ALPHV) ransomware linked to BlackMatter, DarkSide gangs
The Black Cat ransomware gang, also known as ALPHV, has confirmed they are former members of the notorious BlackMatter/DarkSide ransomware operation.
While the ransomware gang calls themselves ALPHV, security researcher MalwareHunterTeam named the ransomware BlackCat after the image of a black cat used on every victim's Tor payment page.
Many ransomware operations are run as a Ransomware-as-a-Service, where core members are in charge of developing the ransomware infection and managing servers, while affiliates are recruited to breach corporate networks and conduct attacks.
A ransomware affiliate told BleepingComputer that they worked with Ragnar Locker, Maze, and the REvil ransomware operations simultaneously.
Since BlackCat ransomware launched in November, the representative of the LockBit ransomware gang has stated that ALPHV/BlackCat is a rebrand of DarkSide/BlackMatter.
While the BlackCat ransomware operators claim that they were only DarkSide/BlackMatter affiliates who launched their own ransomware operation, security researchers are not buying it.