FBI Seeks Bitcoin Wallet Information of Ransomware Attacks
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In support of the #StopRansomware campaign, the joint cybersecurity advisory warned users about Vice Society, a program similar to the ransomware that encrypts data and requests a fee to recover it.
The federal agency trio predicts an increase in ransomware attacks, particularly against educational facilities, and notes that school districts with low cybersecurity capabilities and limited resources are generally the most susceptible.
Key Information To Seek
The FBI requested US residents to disclose information that helps monitor the whereabouts of the hackers, even though preventive steps are still crucial to combating ransomware. The FBI is particularly interested in IP addresses connected to the attacker, ransom letters, and Bitcoin (BTC) wallet information.
Authorities can trace illegal transactions on Bitcoin's irreversible blockchain using wallet addresses without worrying about the trail going cold.
Use Of Fiat Currencies
Even while cross-border transactions using Bitcoin are frictionless, the majority of attackers choose to use fiat money to finance their illegal operations. Additionally, it was found that in 2021, just 0.15 percent of activity on blockchains was criminal, a figure that has been steadily declining over time.
The three government authorities also strongly advise citizens against paying ransom demands because doing so does not ensure the restoration of victim files. People impacted by ransomware attacks can report the specifics by going to a nearby FBI office.