Top Ransomware Attacks of 2022

Ransomware attacks have been on the rise in recent years, with more and more organizations falling victim to these malicious cyber attacks. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the biggest ransomware attacks, demands, and payments that have occurred in 2022 and 2021.

One of the most notable ransomware attacks of 2022 was the attack on the Colonial Pipeline.“ The pipeline, which carries fuel from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast of the United States, was forced to shut down for several days following the attack.”

The ransomware group responsible for the attack, DarkSide, demanded a payment of $5 million to release the company’s stolen data. The company ultimately paid the ransom, and the pipeline was able to resume operations.

Irish Health System Targeted in One of the Top Ransomware Attacks of 2022

Devastatingly, another major ransomware attack rocked the world in 2022 with the attack on the Irish health system. The attack caused catastrophic and widespread disruption, leaving hospitals and clinics in complete disarray and forcing them to cancel critical appointments and redirect patients to other facilities.

The malicious ransomware group responsible for the heinous act, Ravil, callously demanded a staggering payment of $20 million as ransom in exchange for the release of the stolen data. The Irish government has not yet confirmed whether or not the ransom was paid, leaving the fate of the affected individuals in limbo.

In 2021, the meatpacking company JBS was hit by a catastrophic ransomware attack that forced it to shut down operations in North America and Australia. The attack led to a meat shortage in several areas, causing widespread disruption and panic.

The ransomware group responsible for the attack, Ravil, demanded a payment of $11 million in exchange for the release of the stolen data. The company ultimately paid the ransom and was able to resume operations.

Powerful Ransomware Attack on Accellion in 2021

Another notable ransomware attack in 2021 was the attack on the cloud-based software company Accellion. The attack resulted in the theft of sensitive data from several major companies, including the University of California, San Francisco, and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

The ransomware group responsible for the attack, UNC1878, demanded a payment of $50 million in exchange for the release of the stolen data. It is unclear whether or not the ransom was paid.

These attacks demonstrate the growing threat of ransomware and the willingness of ransomware groups to target large organizations and demand significant sums of money in exchange for the release of stolen data.

Companies need to take proactive steps to protect themselves from ransomware attacks, such as regularly backing up data and implementing robust security measures.