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DarkSide ransomware gang quits after servers, Bitcoin stash seized

krebsonsecurity.com

521–530 of 623 posts

Re: DarkSide ransomware gang quits after servers, Bitcoin stash seized

#521

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just causing terror doesn't make it terrorism. Causing terror as a means to further some political (or religious) goal would make it terrorism.

Money is pure politics. The attacker becoming rich can legally be considered a political goal as the nature of money is political. If they endanger an entity or someone else’s resources to gain that political goal they are guilty of terrorism as they used fear to enact political change.

Only if you're a Marxist and limit your world view to what you can see through that lens.

Re: DarkSide ransomware gang quits after servers, Bitcoin stash seized

#524
post #43

> The REvil representative said its program was introducing new restrictions on the kinds of organizations that affiliates could hold for ransom, and that henceforth it would be forbidden to attack those in the “social sector” (defined as healthcare and educational institutions) and organizations in the “gov-sector” (state) of any country. Affiliates also will be required to get approval before infecting victims. Sta…

> seem to point to ransomware activities being far more coordinated and "business-like" than they often get credit for. This is a business that actually provides better support than a regular business. From conversations with friends in the Infragard side of this, and the agencies that collaborate, they have 24/7 English support available before and after payment, as well as decryption remote support if you can't get…

I can tell you that on the same day I opened a support case with both a ransomware operator and Microsoft premier support. One of those vendors took my money went dark. Guess which one?

Re: DarkSide ransomware gang quits after servers, Bitcoin stash seized

#525
post #442

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I got downvoted for saying that maybe it's time to treat serious ransomware attacks (infrastructure, security, health, etc.) as terrorism - as in the sense that they're a threat to the national security. But this kinda shows the response I was referencing to. A lot of people like to think of ransomware attacks as the ultimate stress test as far as security goes, and thus a good thing - but let's not get too blinded b…

Serious side effects, yes. I am homeless and live in my van in North Carolina and having to ration my gasoline waiting for the idiots to stop hoarding. These people thought they were sticking it to the man but they were actually sticking it to people like me.

[deleted]

Re: DarkSide ransomware gang quits after servers, Bitcoin stash seized

#526
Seems just as likely that domestic industrial sabotage and/or members of a 3 letter agency were behind this. Much more que bono for corporations/3 letter agency than the Russians. For example, train freight will be the logical alternative to the pipeline.

"Dark Side" is a silly name & I know of many silly security folk. Seems like a cultural fit somewhere...

Re: DarkSide ransomware gang quits after servers, Bitcoin stash seized

#528

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I got downvoted for saying that maybe it's time to treat serious ransomware attacks (infrastructure, security, health, etc.) as terrorism - as in the sense that they're a threat to the national security. But this kinda shows the response I was referencing to. A lot of people like to think of ransomware attacks as the ultimate stress test as far as security goes, and thus a good thing - but let's not get too blinded b…

> I got downvoted for saying that maybe it's time to treat serious ransomware attacks (infrastructure, security, health, etc.) as terrorism - as in the sense that they're a threat to the national security Um. Terrorism is basically never a threat to national security.

Threats to financial centers and satellite offices of major intelligence offices that are part of the US intelligence apparatus such as in 9/11 are definitely threats to national security. Not sure if you were being sarcastic?

Re: DarkSide ransomware gang quits after servers, Bitcoin stash seized

#529

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Money is pure politics. The attacker becoming rich can legally be considered a political goal as the nature of money is political. If they endanger an entity or someone else’s resources to gain that political goal they are guilty of terrorism as they used fear to enact political change.

Only if you're a Marxist and limit your world view to what you can see through that lens.

No, money is inherently political as a matter of observable fact. It is created by governments and its value is driven by taxation.

Re: DarkSide ransomware gang quits after servers, Bitcoin stash seized

#530
post #529

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Only if you're a Marxist and limit your world view to what you can see through that lens.

No, money is inherently political as a matter of observable fact. It is created by governments and its value is driven by taxation.

> It is created by governments and its value is driven by taxation.

How does taxation drive value? Which taxation? There are governments that don't charge income taxes, there are governments that don't charge property taxes, there are governments that don't charge sales taxes.

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