@Today 8 June 2021

U.S. Recovers Millions Paid In Bitcoin For Pipeline Ransomware U.S. authorities have successfully recovered a ransom paid in Bitcoin by the company Colonial Pipeline, per a CNN report. In May, a cyberattack allegedly perpetrated by a Russia-backed hacker group called DarkSide halted the operations of this company. According to the report, Colonial Pipeline controls around 45% of the fuel for the U.S. East Coast. Its CEO Joseph Blount was forced to pay the ransom enforced by the hacker on a control room’s main computer. Estimated in around $4.4 million paid in 63.7 Bitcoin. The operation was carried out by a special ransomware task force created by the U.S. Federal Government. This type of attack has become regular. There is a growing concern in the public and the authorities. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said the following on the operation during a press conference: By going after an entire ecosystem that fuels ransomware and digital currency, we will continue to use all of our tools and all of our resources to increase the costs and the consequences of ransomware attacks and other cyber-enabled attacks. Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger claimed that Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies “enable” this type of crime. A similar position has been taken by other U.S. high-ranking government officials, such as Secretary of Treasury, Janet Yellen. Neuberger added, according to CNN: That’s the way folks get the money out of it. On the rise of anonymity and enhancing cryptocurrencies, the rise of mixer services that essentially launder funds. Another representative from the Department of Justice (DOJ) claimed that the funds were seized from a Bitcoin wallet. https://www.newsbtc.com/news/bitcoin/u-s-bitcoin-pipeline-ransomware/