Florida ransomware negotiator found guilty
Helped hackers in ransomware attacks against US companies.
1Fall of a security expert
Florida resident Angelo Martino was found guilty of collaborating with hackers while working as a ransomware negotiator for a cybersecurity company. Martino was part of the group that attacked US companies using BlackCat ransomware. He was sentenced to more than five years in prison.
2$10 million seizure
The US Department of Justice seized assets purchased by Martino with money stolen from hackers. These include a luxury fishing boat and a food truck. The total value of these assets, which also include cryptocurrency, exceeds $10 million.
3End of the trio
Martino became the third and final member of this ransomware network to be convicted. Cybersecurity professionals Kevin Martin and Ryan Goldberg had previously been imprisoned on the same charges. The trio earned $1.2 million from attacks on US companies in 2023.
4Dark business model
BlackCat (ALPHV) operates as a ransomware-as-a-service group. Independent hackers can rent the group's file-encrypting software and receive a share of attack profits. In 2024, medical data of 192 million people was stolen in the Change Healthcare attack.
5Industry implications
This case represents one of the rare instances of cybersecurity professionals collaborating with malicious hackers. Ransomware attacks have led to the creation of a specialized insurance sector in the US. Some companies employ negotiators to reduce ransom amounts.
6Lesson for security world
Although authorities constantly warn against paying ransoms, some companies do so to prevent customer data leaks. This case highlights ethical issues in cybersecurity and the need for better oversight in the industry.
Original article: cybersecurity | TechCrunch — Florida'lı fidye yazılımı müzakerecisi suçlu bulundu