(Reuters) — The Hive ransomware gang has been disrupted by international law enforcement, according to a person familiar with the matter and an announcement posted on the group’s website.
A flashing message on Hive’s site said: “Federal Bureau of Investigation seized this site as part of coordinated law enforcement action against Hive Ransomware.”
The FBI and European law enforcement agency Europol did not immediately return messages seeking comment, but the person familiar with the matter said an announcement from the Justice Department was imminent.
Hive is one of a wide variety of cybercriminal groups that pressure international companies by encrypting their data and demanding massive cryptocurrency payments in return.
It is believed to be among the most active.
In an alert distributed in November, the FBI said cybercriminals tied to Hive had targeted more than 1
,300 companies worldwide and collected about $100 million in ransom.Brett Callow, of Canadian cybersecurity firm Emsisoft, said Hive was responsible for at least 11 incidents involving US government organizations, schools and healthcare providers last year.
“Hive is one of the most active groups out there, if not the most active,” he said in an email.
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