Hackers demand nearly $1 million in Bitcoin to halt data leak

The hacker group Black Shadow breached one of Israel’s largest insurance companies, Shirbit, and demanded a ransom of 50 BTC (~$967,500 at the time of writing), according to The Jerusalem Post.

On Thursday, December 2, Black Shadow published in Telegram a large bundle of personal data of the company’s employees and clients. The attackers warned: if the bitcoins are not sent to their wallet within 24 hours, the ransom will rise to 100 BTC, and after another day to 200 BTC.

Over that period the hackers continued to publish portions of the stolen information.

If Shirbit refuses to pay, the attackers threatened to sell the compromised data.

The firm has already contacted the National Cyber Security Authority and the Capital Market Authority, which confirmed the breach. An initial investigation showed a leak of insurance-related information.

According to the publication, among Shirbit’s clients are numerous government officials, including senior ones.

“Shirbit invested millions of shekels in database security and protection against cyberattacks and complies with all stringent regulatory requirements in this area,” said the company’s CEO, Tzvi Leibushor.

He added that the firm would devote all resources and efforts necessary for an effective, safe and rapid resolution of the cyberattack, whose real aim is to harm the Israeli economy.

Earlier in November, Israeli companies attacked by a previously unknown ransomware, whose operators researchers linked to Iran.

Subscribe to Forklog’s channel on YouTube!