Cybercrime hunters have unmasked the alleged leader of LockBit, a hacker networkdubbedthe most active ransomware group ever.
LockBit gained global notoriety for holding victimsdatato ransom and ransomware-as-a-service, whereby it licenses malware to otherhackers.
Among the high-profile victims are US aerospace giantBoeing, BritainsRoyal Mailand German automotive titanContinental.
Russian entities, however, are notably absent from the list of targets.
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In his online life, he used the alias LockBitSupp.
In the real world, his name is Dmitry Khoroshev.
Who and where is LockBits leader?
Britains National Crime Agency (NCA) unmaskedKhoroshev on Tuesday.
The agency claimed that he served as theadministrator and developer of LockBit.
Khoroshev was also suspected of penning a message declaringsupport for Donald Trump.
Thedubious endorsement emerged in February after a coalition oflaw enforcement agenciesdisrupted LockBits operations.
The takedown compromised the gangs primary platform and critical infrastructure, Europol said.
The message also included an apparent list of corporate victims and that dubious endorsement of Trump.
By showing hisface, the NCA has removed his veil.
The agency also hopes that the unmasking will lead to evidence about his whereabouts.
Due to his anonymity, the reward is likely targeted at Khoroshevs inner circle, Moore said.
The eye-catching unmasking via adepixelating GIFcould also encourage internet sleuths to join the case.
But these very public tactics do come with a risk.
Moore expects the NCA to now quickly ascertainKhoroshevswhereabouts.
The bigger challenge will be gaining enough evidence to prosecute the LockBit leader and his ransomware gang.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
