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Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/ "Threat Research") * [Ransomware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/ransomware/ "Ransomware") [Ransomware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/ransomware/) # Malicious Attackers Target Government and Medical Organizations With COVID-19 Themed Phishing Campaigns ![Clock Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-clock.svg) 7 min read Related Products [![Advanced DNS Security icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/strata_RGB_logo_Icon_Color.png)Advanced DNS Security](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/product-category/advanced-dns-security/ "Advanced DNS Security")[![Advanced WildFire icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/strata_RGB_logo_Icon_Color.png)Advanced WildFire](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/product-category/advanced-wildfire/ "Advanced WildFire") * ![Profile Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-profile-grey.svg) By: * [Vicky Ray](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/author/vicky-khan/) * [Juan Cortes](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/author/juan-cortes/) * ![Published Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-calendar-grey.svg) Published:April 14, 2020 * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-category.svg) Categories: * [Ransomware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/ransomware/) * [Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-tags-grey.svg) Tags: * [COVID](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/covid/) * [Infostealer](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/infostealer/) * 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themed threats, particularly in the realm of phishing attacks. While the various COVID-19 themed phishing campaigns observed by Unit 42 are [numerous](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/covid19-cyber-threats/), this blog seeks to provide a thorough picture and solid technical analysis of the cross-section between the various types of COVID-19 themed threats organizations may be facing during the ongoing pandemic. Specifically, we address a ransomware variant (EDA2) observed in attacks on a Canadian government healthcare organization and a Canadian medical research university, as well as an infostealer variant (AgentTesla) observed in attacks against various other targets (e.g, a United States defense research entity, a Turkish government agency managing public works, a German industrial manufacturing firm, a Korean chemical manufacturer, a research institute located in Japan and medical research facilities in Canada). None of the malware samples mentioned in this blog were successful in reaching their intended targets. Our [threat prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/secure-the-network/subscriptions/threat-prevention) platform with [WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/secure-the-network/wildfire) detects activity associated with these threat groups while simultaneously updating the 'malware' category within the [URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/threat-detection-and-prevention/web-security) solution for malicious and/or compromised domains that have been identified. ## **Ransomware Campaign** #### **Campaign Overview** Between March 24, 2020 at 18:25 UTC and March 26 at 11:54 UTC, Unit 42 observed several malicious emails sent from the spoofed address noreply@who\[.\]int (actual sender IP address at the time of the attack was 176.223.133\[.\]91) to several individuals associated with a Canadian government health organization actively engaged in COVID-19 response efforts, and a Canadian university conducting COVID-19 research. The emails all contained a malicious Rich Text Format (RTF) phishing lure with the file name 20200323-sitrep-63-covid-19.doc, (SHA256: 62d38f19e67013ce7b2a84cb17362c77e2f13134ee3f8743cbadde818483e617), which, when opened with a vulnerable application, attempted to deliver a ransomware payload using a known shared Microsoft component vulnerability, [CVE-2012-0158](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-0158). It is interesting to note that even though the file name clearly references a specific date (March 23, 2020), the file name was not updated over the course of the campaign to reflect current dates. It is also interesting that the malware authors did not attempt to make their lures appear legitimate in any way; it is clear from the first page of the document that something is amiss. [![COVID-19 phishing lure](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Figure-1.-Ransomware-phishing-lure-1.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Figure-1.-Ransomware-phishing-lure-1.png) Figure 1. Ransomware phishing lure |------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------|---------------------|---------------------------------|------------------------| | **SHA256** | **Subjects** | **Spoofed Sender** | **File name** | **C2 Domain** | | 62d38f19e67013ce7b2a84cb17362c77e2f13134ee3f8743cbadde818483e617 | Coronavirus disease COVID19 | noreply@who\[.\]int | 20200323-sitrep-63-covid-19.doc | www.tempinfo.96\[.\]lt | *Table 1. Ransomware campaign attributes* #### **Post-Infection** Once opened with vulnerable document viewing software, the malicious attachment drops a ransomware binary to disk at C:\\Users\\\\\AppData\\Local\\svchost.exe, then executes it. It is worth mentioning that the dropped binary has the hidden attribute set, and has an Adobe Acrobat icon. When the ransomware binary is executed, an HTTP GET request for the resource tempinfo.96\[.\]lt/wras/RANSOM20.jpg is initiated. This image is the main ransomware infection notification displayed to the victim: [![](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Figure-2.-Ransomware-image-download-network-traffic.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Figure-2.-Ransomware-image-download-network-traffic.png) Figure 2. Ransomware image download network traffic ![](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Figure-3.-Ransomware-notification-image-1.png) Figure 3. Ransomware notification image This image is then saved to disk at C:\\Users\\\\\ransom20.jpg, and is subsequently set as the victim user's desktop wallpaper. At the time of the attack, the domain tempinfo.96\[.\]lt resolved to the IP address 31.170.167\[.\]123. After the image is downloaded, an HTTP POST request to the resource www.tempinfo.96\[.\]lt/wras/createkeys.php is made containing the user name and host name of the victim. Of particular note is that connectivity to the remote host is first checked via use of **HTTP 100 Continue** prior to the malware transmitting the host details: [![](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Figure-4.-Network-traffic-victim-host-detail-transfer.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Figure-4.-Network-traffic-victim-host-detail-transfer.png) Figure 4. Network traffic, victim host detail transfer Once the remote command and control (C2) server successfully receives the victim's details, it then proceeds to create a custom key based on the username/hostname details and sends the key back to the infected host for further processing. Once the key is received from the C2 server, the infected host then initiates an HTTP POST request to the resource www.tempinfo.96\[.\]lt/wras/savekey.php containing its hostname and the main decryption key for the host, which is, in itself, AES encrypted: [![](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Figure-5.-Network-traffic-ransomware-key-exchange.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Figure-5.-Network-traffic-ransomware-key-exchange.png) Figure 5. Network traffic, ransomware key exchange At this point, encryption of the victim's files begins. This particular ransomware binary is configured to encrypt files with the following file extensions: ".abw", ".aww", ".chm", ".dbx", ".djvu", ".doc", ".docm", ".docx", ".dot", ".dotm", ".dotx", ".epub", ".gp4", ".ind", ".indd", ".key", ".keynote", ".mht", ".mpp", ".odf", ".ods", ".odt", ".ott", ".oxps", ".pages", ".pdf", ".pmd", ".pot", ".potx", ".pps", ".ppsx", ".ppt", ".pptm", ".pptx", ".prn", ".prproj", ".ps", ".pub", ".pwi", ".rtf", ".sdd", ".sdw", ".shs", ".snp", ".sxw", ".tpl", ".vsd", ".wpd", ".wps", ".wri", ".xps", ".bak", ".bbb", ".bkf", ".bkp", ".dbk", ".gho", ".iso", ".json", ".mdbackup", ".nba", ".nbf", ".nco", ".nrg", ".old", ".rar", ".sbf", ".sbu", ".spb", ".spba", ".tib", ".wbcat", ".zip", "7z", ".dll", ".dbf" The encryption algorithm is fairly simple, and, when encrypted, files are renamed with a .locked20 extension: ![COVID-19 ransomware encryption source code](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/word-image-32.png) Figure 6. Ransomware encryption source code Additionally, this ransomware binary has a particularly substantial limitation; it is hardcoded to only encrypt files and directories that are on the victim's desktop. [![Covid19 Ransomware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Figure-7.-Ransomware-encryption-initiation-source-code.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Figure-7.-Ransomware-encryption-initiation-source-code.png) Figure 7. Ransomware encryption initiation source code **Threat Identification** From the code structure of the binary and the host based and network based behaviors of the ransomware, Unit 42 has determined that the ransomware variant used in this attack is EDA2, an open-source ransomware variant associated with a larger, parent ransomware family called HiddenTear. Additional information on this ransomware variant can be found [here](https://www.securitynewspaper.com/2016/01/25/eda2-open-source-ransomware-code-used-real-life-attacks/). ### **AgentTesla Campaign** It is not a surprise to see malspam actors also taking advantage of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic crisis and using COVID-19 as a lure to entice victims to click on malicious attachments and infect their systems. Figure 9 gives an example of one such malspam campaign with a COVID-19 lure. [![COVID-19 Malspam Email](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/covid-19-malspam-liquidroam.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/covid-19-malspam-liquidroam.png) Figure 8. Malspam email with COVID-19 lure delivering AgentTesla |----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | **SHA256** | **Subjects** | **Sender** | **File name** | **Initial C2 Domain** | | fd4b4799079cdd970eec3884bef4771624a55297086041fd4e7fcefb1a86d08e 67b44bbf3f69e170f1e8ddea8d992dc83cfd351f06a28338b37dc16ad74826ef 14f6b1979ccc5d29c7b143009472d1edcfcdf0025bc2fa84ee445f17f091dd9a 590f84008dfd489fbf98d83e281fbb38c40d890169a9dbd482ff1f184cfb0970 | COVID-19 Supplier Notice | shipping@liquidroam.com | COVID-19 Supplier Notice/COVID-19 Supplier Notice.jpg.exe Corporate advisory CoronaVirus (Covid-19)/Corporate advisory Co | ftp\[.\]lookmegarment\[.\]com 157\[.\]245.78\[.\]47 | *Table 2. AgentTesla campaign attributes* Figure 10 shows the campaign flow where the email shipping@liquidroam\[.\]com was used to send the malspam emails to a number of our customers from healthcare, pharmaceutical, government industries among others. After further analysis of the attachments we found that the samples were droppers delivering variants of the AgentTesla malware family. AgentTesla is an info-stealing malware which has been around since [2014](https://krebsonsecurity.com/2018/10/who-is-agent-tesla/). Since AgentTesla has been sold in multiple forums commonly visited by cyber criminals, it's use has significantly grown in the past years and has been one of the top malware family of choice of the SilverTerrier threat actor, infamous for BEC campaigns. More details on the SilverTerrier campaigns can be found in the recent Unit 42 update [here](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/silverterrier-2019-update/). [![AgentTesla COVID-19 Campaign](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Figure-9.-Maltego-chart-of-the-AgentTesla-campaign.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Figure-9.-Maltego-chart-of-the-AgentTesla-campaign.png) Figure 9. Maltego chart of the AgentTesla campaign All the associated samples connected to the same C2 domain for exfiltration- ftp\[.\]lookmegarment\[.\]com. Our analysis also shows that the AgentTesla samples had hard coded credentials used to communicate with the C2 over FTP. Figure 11 shows the exfiltration over FTP, where the C2 is running a Pure-FTPd server. [![](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Figure-11.-Network-traffic-exfiltration.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Figure-11.-Network-traffic-exfiltration.png) Figure 11. Network traffic, exfiltration It is also important to note that the email sender domain, liquidroam\[.\]com, and the C2 domain, lookmegarment\[.\]com, are legit business domains providing sales of electric skateboards and garment textiles, respectively. It is likely that the domains have been compromised and their infrastructure being used in the wider campaign of the cyber criminals. ## **Conclusion** The objective of this blog was to give a deeper understanding on some of the types of cybercrime campaigns being faced by multiple critical industries dealing with the urgent and critical response efforts of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is clear from these cases that the threat actors who profit from cybercrime will go to any extent, including targeting organizations that are in the front lines and responding to the pandemic on a daily basis. While this blog specifically focused on two campaigns, Unit 42 is tracking multiple campaigns with COVID-19 themes being used by threat actors on a daily basis and this trend is likely going to continue for weeks to come. We will continue updating the Unit 42 blog with new findings and observations on how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is being leveraged by cyber criminals for illicit profit. Palo Alto Networks customers are already protected from the mentioned threats by: * Deploying Threat ID 1114703, 2878137, 2855181, 2850820, 2811429, 2888946 * Wildfire successfully classifies the samples as malware * C2 domains are classified as malicious in DNS Security ### **IOCs** ##### Ransomware Campaign: RTF Phishing Lure: 62d38f19e67013ce7b2a84cb17362c77e2f13134ee3f8743cbadde818483e617 Additional related RTF Lure (origin unknown): 42f04025460e5a6fc16d6182ee264d103d9bcd03fffd782c10f0b2e82b84f768 Ransomware Binary: 2779863a173ff975148cb3156ee593cb5719a0ab238ea7c9e0b0ca3b5a4a9326 Mailing Infrastructure: 176\.223.133\[.\]91 C2: tempinfo.96\[.\]lt 31\.170.167\[.\]123 ##### AgentTesla Campaign: AgentTesla Samples: |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | fd4b4799079cdd970eec3884bef4771624a55297086041fd4e7fcefb1a86d08e | | 67b44bbf3f69e170f1e8ddea8d992dc83cfd351f06a28338b37dc16ad74826ef | | 14f6b1979ccc5d29c7b143009472d1edcfcdf0025bc2fa84ee445f17f091dd9a | | 590f84008dfd489fbf98d83e281fbb38c40d890169a9dbd482ff1f184cfb0970 408bd4ffdff006738289dc51f1e51b00662508628ef8bb6147e3d88d4740ec4b C2: ftp\[.\]lookmegarment\[.\]com 157\[.\]245.78\[.\]47 | | | Back to top ### Tags * [COVID](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/covid/ "COVID") * [Infostealer](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/infostealer/ "Infostealer") * [Phishing](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/phishing/ "phishing") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: APT41 Using New Speculoos Backdoor to Target Organizations Globally](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/apt41-using-new-speculoos-backdoor-to-target-organizations-globally/ "APT41 Using New Speculoos Backdoor to Target Organizations Globally") ### Table of Contents * ### Related Articles * [Russian Global Webmail Espionage](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/russian-webmail-espionage/ "article - table of contents") * [Phantom Squatting: AI-Hallucinated Domains as a Software Supply Chain Vector](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/phantom-squatting-hallucinated-web-domains/ "article - table of contents") * [OpenClaw's Skill Marketplace and the Emerging AI Supply Chain Threat](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/openclaw-ai-supply-chain-risk/ "article - table of contents") ## Related Ransomware Resources ![Pictorial representation of Iran cyber attacks. Close-up of a person wearing glasses, with computer code reflected in the lenses.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/12_Security-Technology_Category_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/top-threats.svg)High Profile Threats](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/top-cyberthreats/) April 17, 2026 [#### Threat Brief: Escalation of Cyber Risk Related to Iran (Updated April 17)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/iranian-cyberattacks-2026/) * [APK](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/apk/ "APK") * [DDoS attacks](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ddos-attacks/ "DDoS attacks") * [GenAI](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/genai/ "GenAI") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/iranian-cyberattacks-2026/ "Threat Brief: Escalation of Cyber Risk Related to Iran (Updated April 17)") ![Pictorial representation of RaaS RansomHouse. Digital representation of cybersecurity concept with a padlock superimposed over computer circuit boards, symbolizing data protection and encryption technologies.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/06_Ransomware_Category_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) December 17, 2025 [#### From Linear to Complex: An Upgrade in RansomHouse Encryption](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ransomhouse-encryption-upgrade/) * [ESXi](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/esxi/ "ESXi") * [Jolly Scorpius](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/jolly-scorpius/ "Jolly Scorpius") * [RansomHouse](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ransomhouse/ "RansomHouse") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ransomhouse-encryption-upgrade/ "From Linear to Complex: An Upgrade in RansomHouse Encryption") ![Pictorial representation of 01flip ransomware written in Rust. Digital artwork of a pixelated U.S. dollar bill disintegrating into small blocks against a blue data matrix background.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/05_Ransomware_Category_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) December 10, 2025 [#### 01flip: Multi-Platform Ransomware Written in Rust](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/new-ransomware-01flip-written-in-rust/) * [Bitcoin](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/bitcoin/ "Bitcoin") * [CL-CRI-103](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cl-cri-103/ "CL-CRI-103") * [Cryptocurrency](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cryptocurrency/ "Cryptocurrency") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/new-ransomware-01flip-written-in-rust/ "01flip: Multi-Platform Ransomware Written in Rust") ![Pictorial representation of malicious LLMs. Close-up view of a digital wall displaying various glowing icons, representing a high-tech network interface.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AdobeStock_1270203474-786x440.jpeg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) November 25, 2025 [#### The Dual-Use Dilemma of AI: Malicious LLMs](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/dilemma-of-ai-malicious-llms/) * [Credential Harvesting](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/credential-harvesting/ "Credential Harvesting") * [Data exfiltration](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/data-exfiltration/ "data exfiltration") * [LLM](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/llm/ "LLM") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/dilemma-of-ai-malicious-llms/ "The Dual-Use Dilemma of AI: Malicious LLMs") ![Constellation image representing the constellation schema used by Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 to track nation-state and cybercrime threat actor groups](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Generic-B-1920x900-1-786x368.png) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/threat-actor-groups.svg)Threat Actor Groups](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-actor-groups/) August 1, 2025 [#### Threat Actor Groups Tracked by Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 (Updated Aug. 1, 2025)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-actor-groups-tracked-by-palo-alto-networks-unit-42/) * [Academic Serpens](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/academic-serpens/ "Academic Serpens") * [Agent Serpens](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/agent-serpens/ "Agent Serpens") * [Agonizing Serpens](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/agonizing-serpens/ "Agonizing Serpens") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-actor-groups-tracked-by-palo-alto-networks-unit-42/ "Threat Actor Groups Tracked by Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 (Updated Aug. 1, 2025)") ![Pictorial representation of Unit 42 threat attribution system. Illustration featuring a white triangle centered within an abstract cosmic background of purple and blue swirls and stars.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Generic-A-1920x900-1-786x368.png) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/threat-actor-groups.svg)Threat Actor Groups](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-actor-groups/) July 31, 2025 [#### Introducing Unit 42's Attribution Framework](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/unit-42-attribution-framework/) * [Advanced Persistent Threat](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/advanced-persistent-threat/ "Advanced Persistent Threat") * [Bookworm](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/bookworm/ "Bookworm") * [Nomenclature](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/nomenclature/ "nomenclature") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/unit-42-attribution-framework/ "Introducing Unit 42’s Attribution Framework") ![Pictorial representation of the ransomware landscape. Digital artwork of a disintegrating U.S. dollar bill with pixelated effects on a cyber-inspired background.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/05_Ransomware_Category_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-report-white-1.svg)Trend Reports](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/trend-reports/) April 23, 2025 [#### Extortion and Ransomware Trends January-March 2025](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/2025-ransomware-extortion-trends/) * [BianLian](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/bianlian/ "BianLian") * [Akira ransomware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/akira-ransomware/ "Akira ransomware") * [Muddled Libra](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/muddled-libra/ "Muddled Libra") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/2025-ransomware-extortion-trends/ "Extortion and Ransomware Trends January-March 2025") ![A pictorial representation of Akira ransomware, distributed by Howling Scorpius. A person's hand typing on a keyboard with a digital screen displaying the word "password" highlighted in blue, set against a backdrop of various cybersecurity interface graphics.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/09_Cybercrime_Category_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/top-threats.svg)High Profile Threats](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/top-cyberthreats/) December 2, 2024 [#### Threat Assessment: Howling Scorpius (Akira Ransomware)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-assessment-howling-scorpius-akira-ransomware/) * [Howling Scorpius](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/howling-scorpius/ "Howling Scorpius") * [Leak site](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/leak-site/ "Leak site") * [Torrenting](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/torrenting/ "torrenting") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-assessment-howling-scorpius-akira-ransomware/ "Threat Assessment: Howling Scorpius (Akira Ransomware)") ![Pictorial representation of a threat like BlackSuit ransomware. An illustration of a modern workspace with a laptop displaying cybersecurity icons, surrounded by stacks of coins and a credit card, all depicted in a neon, digital art style.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04_Ransomware_Category_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/top-threats.svg)High Profile Threats](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/top-cyberthreats/) November 20, 2024 [#### Threat Assessment: Ignoble Scorpius, Distributors of BlackSuit Ransomware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-assessment-blacksuit-ransomware-ignoble-scorpius/) * [BlackSuit ransomware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/blacksuit-ransomware/ "BlackSuit ransomware") * [Construction](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/construction/ "construction") * [Education](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/education/ "Education") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-assessment-blacksuit-ransomware-ignoble-scorpius/ "Threat Assessment: Ignoble Scorpius, Distributors of BlackSuit Ransomware") ![A representation of a threat group like Jumpy Pisces. Illustrative image featuring two fish and the Pisces constellation superimposed on a stylized, abstract background with flowing purple waves and a starry night sky.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Pisces-NK-A-1920x900-1-786x368.png) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/threat-actor-groups.svg)Threat Actor Groups](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-actor-groups/) October 30, 2024 [#### Jumpy Pisces Engages in Play Ransomware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/north-korean-threat-group-play-ransomware/) * [North Korea](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/north-korea/ "North Korea") * [Jumpy Pisces](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/jumpy-pisces/ "Jumpy Pisces") * [Fiddling Scorpius](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/fiddling-scorpius/ "Fiddling Scorpius") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/north-korean-threat-group-play-ransomware/ "Jumpy Pisces Engages in Play Ransomware") * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) ![Close button](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/close-modal.svg) ![Enlarged Image]() ![Newsletter](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/unit42-footer-subscribe-desktop.png) ![UNIT 42 Small Logo](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/palo-alto-logo-small.svg) Get updates from Unit 42 ## Peace of mind comes from staying ahead of threats. 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