DOJ Takes Down Major Ransomware Group

DOJ Takes Down , Major Ransomware Group. CNET reports that on Jan. 26, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said it disrupted the operations of Hive, a ransomware group. The department began infiltrating the group in July 2022. As a result, the DOJ says it helped victims evade $130 million in ransom payments. According to the DOJ, Hive, using a network of "affiliates," extorted financial institutions, hospitals, school districts and more in 80 countries. . According to the DOJ, Hive, using a network of "affiliates," extorted financial institutions, hospitals, school districts and more in 80 countries. . Since 2021, Hive targeted more than 1,500 victims globally. CNET reports that the DOJ says it has recovered decryption keys for 300 victims who were currently being attacked and 1,000 decryption keys for previous victims. . Experts continue to warn that critical infrastructure remains vulnerable to cyberattacks. The 2021 ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline is evidence of that. The attack caused the pipeline to shut down for five days. Prices soared due to fears of gas shortages