Moonstone Sleet Strikes Again: North Korean Hackers Deploy Qilin Ransomware with a Vengeance!
North Korean hacking group Moonstone Sleet is serving up a ransomware cocktail with a twist—deploying Qilin ransomware in recent attacks. Known for their innovation in custom malware, Moonstone Sleet is now shaking things up by embracing the Ransomware-as-a-Service model. Microsoft is taking note, while victims are left with a sour hangover.
Hot Take:
Who knew that North Korean hackers could diversify their ransomware portfolio faster than a Wall Street broker? Moonstone Sleet is giving “stealing the show” a whole new meaning by swapping out their homegrown malware for Qilin’s RaaS. It’s like trading in your homemade cookies for a box of Oreos—except these cookies come with a hefty ransom note. Keep your wallets close and your data closer, folks!
Key Points:
– **Moonstone Sleet**, a North Korean hacking group, has started using **Qilin ransomware**.
– **Microsoft** has identified this as the first instance of Moonstone Sleet using a RaaS operator’s ransomware.
– The group targets financial and cyberespionage sectors with a mélange of tools and tactics.
– **Qilin ransomware** has claimed over **310 victims** since its inception, including major organizations worldwide.
– Moonstone Sleet is not North Korea’s first rodeo in the ransomware world—remember **WannaCry** and **Holy Ghost**?