Security News > 2024 > February > LockBit ransomware gang disrupted by global operation

Notorious ransomware gang LockBit's website has been taken over by law enforcement authorities, who claim they have disrupted the group's operations and will soon reveal the extent of an operation against the group.

"We can confirm that LockBit's services have been disrupted as a result of International Law Enforcement action - this is an ongoing and developing operation," the page states, promising that more information will be revealed at 11:30 GMT on Tuesday February 20.

Europol has reportedly taken credit for shutting down LockBit, so perhaps Operation Cronos really has disrupted the gang's operations.

LockBit is prolific and vicious: we've reported it attacking a children's hospital, Infosys, sandwich chain Subway, and many other attacks.

US authorities have detected at least 1,700 LockBit attacks in that nation alone as of mid-2023, and suggest the group was responsible for almost a quarter of all ransomware attacks in some countries.

There are geopolitical implications as well, given LockBit is thought to be directed from Moscow and therefore perhaps part of a wider campaign to disrupt Russia's enemies.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/20/lockbit_down_operation_cronos/