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Published on Monday, May 9, 2022
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff and wire services
The
U.S. Department of State is offering
a reward of up to $10 million for
information leading to the
identification or location of any
individual who holds a key
leadership position in the Conti
ransomware variant transnational
organized crime group. In
addition, a reward of up to $5
million is offered for information
leading to the arrest and or
conviction of any individual
conspiring to participate in a Conti
ransomware incident. “The
United States is committed to
supporting our Costa Rican friends
in the face of cyberattacks by the
Conti group that they have suffered
in recent weeks,'' Cynthia Telles.,
Ambassador in Costa Rica said. "This
assistance reaffirms and reinforces
our close cooperation with Costa
Rica for a long time.” The
Ministry of Technology thanked the
U.S. for being a strategic ally to
confront cybercriminal groups.
According to the ministry, they
continue to improve the public
technological systems to prevent
further attacks. According
to the Department of State, the
Conti ransomware group has been
responsible for hundreds of
ransomware incidents over the past
two years. The
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
FBI, estimates that as of January
2022, there had been over 1,000
victims of attacks associated with
Conti ransomware. Victim payouts
exceeded $150 million making the
Conti Ransomware variant the most
damaging strain of ransomware ever
documented. In
April 2022 the group perpetrated a
ransomware incident against the
government of Costa Rica that
severely impacted the country’s
foreign trade by disrupting its
customs and taxes platforms. Ransomware
is a type of malicious software, or
malware, that prevents a user from
accessing computer files, systems,
or networks until a ransom is paid
for their return.
Ransomware incidents can cause costly disruptions to operations and the loss of critical information and data. The Conti ransomware operates as a service wherein the extortion profit is shared between the RaaS owners and their affiliates.
The affiliates are the entities or individuals who effectuate the computer intrusion and deploy the ransomware. Each affiliate uses its own intrusion method and the group negotiates the terms of the ransom demands with the victim.
The FBI does not support the payment of a ransom in response to a ransomware incident; however, many victims do pay the ransom. Paying ransom demands encourages more ransomware incidents and provides an incentive to become involved in this type of illegal activity.
The U.S. Department encourages victims of a ransomware incident to get more information on stopping this cybercrime by visiting the site StopRansomeware.gov.
People can provide Conti group information by calling the FBI at 1-800-CALLFBI (225-5324) or visiting the Tips FBI site. People can also contact the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica by calling (506) 2519-2000.
Due to the massive cyberattacks targeted against Costa Rican public institutions, in April, authorities issued a guideline to increase cyber security.
The ministry established that all public institutions must comply with a series of measures to deal with cyberattacks and prevent future hacks.
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