Alphv ransomware group claims to have hacked Reddit, threatens to leak data unless money paid and API changes reverted

red@feddit.de to Technology@beehaw.org – 275 points –
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This isn't ransomware. This is standard blackmail.

Correct, but done by ransomware operators.

Not that this isn't scummy but my understanding is that "ransomware" refers to software that locks a user or organization out of their systems until a fee is paid, generally my encrypting the disk.

This seems like a more traditional "hack" of a system where you get in and download data. Which makes threatening them is traditional blackmail.

The point is that Alphv is an operator of ransomware as a service (RaaS), specifically BlackCat, independent of whether they used ransomware in this specific attack (which it indeed doesn't sound like).

Oh I see. I misunderstood the comment then. Thanks for the clarification!

I'll have more respect if the leak were done by disgruntled employees, but this attempt to leak is done by a ransomware operator who failed to extort them in the first place.

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