Removal of hacker threat a sign Allen & Overy may have paid ransom

Picture: The Australian Financial Review

Article Excerpt:

Russian hacking group LockBit has removed a listing threatening to release data stolen from law firm Allen & Overy, in a sign the parties may be negotiating a ransom payment.

The London-based firm was removed from the site on Thursday, ahead of a November 28 deadline hackers had given for publishing stolen data on the dark web.

Josh Lemon, who has worked with LockBit victims as response director at cybersecurity firm Uptycs, said “the most likely outcome is that the firm has paid LockBit not to release the data”.

Evan Vougdis, one of our Cyber Directors and a specialist in Cyber Threat Intelligence provided comment in this article:

“Alternatively, the removal of the threat could signify the firm had entered into negotiations with LockBit and a ransom was yet to be paid,” said Evan Vougdis, a director at NSB Cyber. “The deadline may have been extended while negotiations go on.”

Source: The Australian Financial Review - Monday 27 November 2023.
Author: Maxim Shanahan - Professional Services Reporter.
Reference: Removal of hacker threat a sign Allen & Overy may have paid ransom.