Cybercriminals are attempting to auction off sensitive information pilfered from the Maryland Department of Transportation. The asking price? Approximately $3.4 million, payable in
The group, identifying themselves as Rhysida Ransomware, has posted the stolen data for sale on a dark web marketplace. They’re limiting the offer to a single buyer and have set a one-week deadline for the transaction to occur.
A report from Dark Web Daily indicates the compromised files likely contain highly sensitive personal details, including dates of birth, Social Security numbers, home addresses, and other forms of personally identifiable information.
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The Maryland Department of Transportation has verified unauthorized access to data related to the Maryland Transit Administration. An investigation is underway, and employees and users are advised to take precautionary measures to secure their accounts.
Recommended steps include the creation of strong, unique passwords, ensuring software is up-to-date, and enabling two-factor authentication where available.
Rhysida has been associated with cyberattacks since at least 2023. A cybersecurity advisory issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) indicates that the group frequently targets organizations in sectors such as public services, healthcare, manufacturing, education, and information technology.
Their standard operating procedure involves threatening to publicly release stolen data unless a ransom is paid by the victim, typically in Bitcoin.
The hackers’ strategy of seeking a single buyer suggests an attempt to expedite the process and maintain discretion. However, cybersecurity experts caution that even with a private sale, the compromised data remains vulnerable to future leaks or resale.
In related news, a Thailand-based operation was recently uncovered, having defrauded hundreds of South Koreans out of more than $15 million. Want to know how they did it? Discover the details here.