$10 Million Reward
offer for apprehension of unmasked LockBit ransomware leader.
In the aftermath of the notorious ransomware group’s dismantling by international police, cyber security and remediation must be treated as key priorities.
Do you know Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev?
If you do, there's a chance that you might well on the way to receiving a reward of up to $10 million.
Law enforcement agencies across the US, UK, and Australia have named Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev as the mastermind behind the notorious LockBit ransomware group, estimated to have extorted $500 million from companies worldwide.
LockBit was the world's biggest ransomware operation until February. But a multinational group of cyber cops dismantled the "Walmart of Ransomware" in style, seizing the hacking group's leak site and disrupting its activities. At the time, police teased that they would soon reveal fresh information about the group's operations after they "gained unprecedented and comprehensive access to LockBit's systems."
The real name of LockBitSupp, the kingpin of LockBit, has been a secret for years despite many attempts to unmask them. Law enforcement's claims of disrupting the gang's operations were scorned by LockBitSupp, who even offered their own $10 million reward for anyone who was able to tell them their true identity.
Unsurprisingly, many amateur sleuths are using information released by the authorities in an attempt learn more about Dmitry Khoroshev - and potentially win their share of a reward if he is ever detained.
We already know that Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev was born in Russia on April 17, 1993.He is the owner of several businesses based in the Voronezh region of Russia, and drives a Mercedes (not the Lamborghini he often bragged about). Analysis of his past email addresses and social media accounts has also uncovered a treasure trove of evidence of his interests stretching back years.
And despite his claims of living the high life as a millionaire on a yacht with a bevy of young women, his life appears to be rather less glamorous.If Kohoroshev remains in Russia, it is quite possible he will never see his day in court, but I very much doubt that he will risk travelling overseas anytime soon. And the spotlight being shone on him may well deter him - and some others - from continuing a life of cybercrime.
Victims of the LockBit ransomware are encouraged to contact the FBI and NCA to file official complaints, and determine if their data can be successfully decrypted using intelligence seized by the authorities in its takedown of the group.
Many organisations underestimate the importance of having a robust incident response plan. But knowing how to respond, especially in those critical first 48 hours after a cyber attack, can be critical.
Do you worry your company won't know how to recover after a cyber attack? Has your business just been hit by ransomware and you're wondering what to do?
There's still hope.
Don't make the mistake of believing that your organisation will never be targeted. The right approach is to take proactive measures in advance - as it's not a case of whether your business will suffer the likes of a ransomware attack but when.
Make sure to read Exponential-e's step-by-step guide on ransomware remediation.
