Ransomware attacks hit Stanford University and Nassau Bay in Texas

The notorious ransomware group Akira has launched two separate attacks, targeting Stanford University and the Texan community of Nassau Bay. The group has a history of extorting organizations, demanding ransom payments ranging from US$200,000 to US$4 million. Their modus operandi involves exfiltrating sensitive data and threatening to publish it online if their demands are not met.

In the case of Nassau Bay, the attack occurred on May 23, 2023, affecting over 8,000 residents. The group exfiltrated financial data, including account numbers, credit card details, and security codes. Despite the breach, Nassau Bay City Manager Nathan Burd assured residents that there was no evidence of financial fraud or identity theft.

Earlier this month, Akira targeted Stanford University, threatening to leak 430 GB of stolen internal data. The university confirmed the cybersecurity incident but has not released further details.

Avast has released a decryptor to combat the prolific Akira ransomware.

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