Ransomware group dismantled by global authorities

An international operation has dismantled the criminal ransomware group Radar/Dispossessor, which had been targeting companies across various sectors, including healthcare and transport. Authorities from the United States and Germany led the effort to bring down the group, which was founded in August 2023 and initially focused on the US before expanding its attacks globally.

The investigation has identified 43 companies as victims, spanning countries such as the UK, Germany, Brazil, and Australia. The group, led by an individual using the alias ‘Brain’, primarily targeted small to medium-sized enterprises. Many more companies are believed to have been affected, with some cases still under investigation.

Radar/Dispossessor exploited vulnerable computer systems, often through weak passwords and the absence of two-factor authentication, to hold data for ransom. Authorities successfully dismantled servers and domains associated with the group in Germany, the US, and Britain.

Twelve suspects have been identified, hailing from various countries, including Germany, Russia, Ukraine, and Kenya. Investigations are ongoing to identify further suspects and uncover more companies that may have been victimised.