U.S. casino giants were targeted by hackers linked to Russia in cyberattacks
Rewritten Article
The Show Must Not Go On: Hackers Strike Big at MGM and Caesars
MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment, two titans of the U.S. casino scene, faced a setback when they were targeted by hackers in a recent attack.
First, the group Scattered Spider stepped forward, claiming responsibility for the attack on MGM. Hot on their heels came the BlackCat gang, also laying claim to the incident. Intriguingly, Scattered Spider later admitted they were part of BlackCat. While experts, suspicions point towards BlackCat being of Russian origin, likely due to evidence of Russian communication within the group. Some even speculate links to the FSB, but solid proof remains elusive.
When it came to MGM, the hackers played a familiar tune: they zeroed in on an employee on LinkedIn, impersonated them, and tricked the tech support into changing their password. Within minutes, they had the system under control.
On the other hand, Caesars confirmed the compromise of their data, but declined to promise complete security. Rumors abound of a hefty ransom, with initial demands reaching $30 million and eventual negotiations settling at $15 million. Caesars, ever tight-lipped, won't comment officially about the matter.
Authored by Alina Shvets
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BlackCat Ransomware Group: A Closer Look
Known variously as ALPHV, the BlackCat group has garnered notoriety for their high-profile cyberattacks since their debut in November 2021. Their modus operandi is characterized by sophisticated attacks and hefty ransom demands, ranging from thousands to millions of dollars[2].
While there's no proof linking BlackCat to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), speculation persists about possible connections to Russian state-sponsored actors. However, the absence of concrete evidence keeps these theories in the realm of speculation[2].
Regarding the attacks on MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment, BlackCat has targeted companies across various sectors, including industrial and defense contractors, as well as major brands such as Moncler and Western Digital[2]. Should they indeed be responsible for the attacks on these casinos, it would align with their strategy of striking high-value targets across multiple industries.
- The BlackCat ransomware group, infamous for high-profile cyberattacks since November 2021, appears to be behind the recent targeted attacks on MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment.
- Engaging in sophisticated attacks and demanding substantial ransoms, ranging from thousands to millions of dollars, BlackCat's exploits have extended to industries such as casino-and-gambling, with MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment being the latest victims.
- As speculated, connections between BlackCat and the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) continue to be a matter of debate, with no concrete evidence to support these claims yet.
- In the realm of general-news and crime-and-justice, the cybersecurity threats posed by groups like BlackCat underscore the importance of safeguards in technology, particularly in casino-culture and gambling-trends, as these sectors become increasingly digitized.
