Play Ransomware Strikes Again: 900 Victims and Counting – The Unstoppable Extortion Machine
Play ransomware victims have reached about 900, spreading chaos like confetti at a surprise party. This notorious gang, also known as Playcrypt, insists on double-extortion tactics, ensuring victims have twice the headaches. Their strategy? Create unique emails and make friendly extortion calls. Nothing says “We mean business” like a personal call from cybercriminals!
Hot Take:
Well, if there’s one thing the Play ransomware gang knows, it’s how to keep the FBI on their toes and IT departments pulling their hair out. With 900 victims and counting, they’re putting up Hall of Fame numbers in the world of cyber villainy. Who needs a Netflix thriller when you have real-life ransomware drama playing out every day? Forget “Squid Game” — this is the “Play” game, and everyone’s a contestant whether they like it or not.
Key Points:
- Play ransomware gang, aka Playcrypt, active since June 2022, employs double-extortion tactics.
- US and Australian agencies updated advisory: 900 victims as of May 2025.
- Exploits vulnerabilities in SimpleHelp software to access and compromise systems.
- Unique communication methods include @gmx.de or @web[.]de emails and phone calls for extortion.
- Variants target both Windows and ESXi systems, requiring recompilation for each attack to evade detection.