DarkSide, the group responsible for the cyber attack on Colonial Pipeline, reportedly received over $90 million in Bitcoin from 47 victims before being forced to shut down last week, according to blockchain analytics firm Elliptic.
Nearly 99 organisations were infected with the DarkSide malware, which could mean that nearly 47 per cent of victims paid a ransom to regain control of data, Elliptic said in a blog. The average payment per victim could have amounted to $1.9m, the company estimated.
“We can follow the ransom payments and see where the Bitcoins are being spent or exchanged. What we find is that the majority of the funds are being sent to crypto-asset exchanges, where they can be swapped for other crypto-assets or fiat currency,” said Tom Robinson, co-founder and chief scientist of Elliptic.
The majority of the crypto-asset exchanges comply with the anti-money laundering regulations and verify their customers’ identity, often flagging any suspicious activity. These exchanges also use blockchain analytics tools to check customer deposits for links to illicit activity such as ransomware.
“However, some jurisdictions do not enforce these regulations”, and DarkSide’s ransomware proceeds were sent to those exchanges, Mr Robinson said.
DarkSide, which made its first appearance in August, said it is shutting down due to "pressure" from the US government and after losing control over its operations and money.
It also ran an affiliate programme to help other hacker groups in their infiltration attempts. Ransom amounts paid by the victims are shared between DarkSide and its affiliate.
“The developer [DarkSide] reportedly takes 25 per cent for ransoms less than $500,000, but this decreases to 10 per cent for ransoms greater than $5m,” Mr Robinson said.
“This split of the ransom payment is very clear to see on the blockchain, with the different shares going to separate Bitcoin wallets controlled by the affiliate and developer. In total, the DarkSide developer has received Bitcoins worth $15.5m [17 per cent], with the remaining $74.7m [83 per cent] going to the various affiliates.”
DarkSide follows the ransomware-as-a-service model, meaning it sells or leases ransomware to others to carry out attacks.
The group also has a help desk to arrange negotiations with victims and to collect information about their targets.
Colonial paid about $5m to hackers on Friday to regain control of its systems, according to Bloomberg. In earlier reports, the company had said it did not plan to pay any ransom.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ready Player One
Dir: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
The five pillars of Islam
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
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Australia tour of Pakistan
March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi
March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore
March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi
April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Race results:
1. Thani Al Qemzi (UAE) Team Abu Dhabi: 46.44 min
2. Peter Morin (FRA) CTIC F1 Shenzhen China Team: 0.91sec
3. Sami Selio (FIN) Mad-Croc Baba Racing Team: 31.43sec
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
