A Fortune 50 company paid $75 million to the Dark Angels ransomware group, setting a new record for ransom payments. Zscaler ThreatLabz revealed massive payout, which broke the previous record of $40 million held by CNA. The company hasn’t been officially named, many speculate it’s Cencora, a pharmaceutical giant hit by a cyberattack in early 2024. The unprecedented payment will likely encourage other cybercriminals to adopt similar high-stakes tactics.
Dark Angels launched its ransomware operation in 2022, focusing on high-value targets with a “Big Game Hunting” strategy. They use advanced Linux encryptors to lock down critical systems and maximize their ransom demands. In addition to encrypting data, Dark Angels operates a data leak site, ‘Dunghill Leaks,’ threatening to expose stolen data if ransoms aren’t paid. The group’s recent success highlights the growing risk of targeted ransomware attacks on major corporations.