from the the-best-defense-is-a-good-offense dept.
Vigilante hackers target 'scammers' with ransomware, DDoS attacks:
A hacker has been taking justice into their own hands by targeting "scam" companies with ransomware and denial of service attacks.
Last week a new ransomware was discovered called MilkmanVictory that a hacking group stated they created to attack scammers.
[...] In a conversation with BleepingComputer, the hacking group known as 'CyberWare' stated that they have started targeting companies performing what they call "loan scams."
"The victims are saying they give "loan", but you first have to pay and then you get nothing," the hacking group told BleepingComputer.
As part of their attacks, the threat actors are sending phishing emails containing links to executables masquerading as PDF files. They are also conducting denial of service attacks to bring down the company's web sites.
The ransomware is being distributed as a destructive wiper attack as it does [not] offer a way to contact the attackers and does not save the encryption key.
"I do not ask for money because scammers do not deserve money for scamming innocent people," the hackers told us.
Instead, the victims are left with a ransom note stating that the computer was destroyed because "we know you are a scammer!"
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Friday May 22 2020, @05:12AM (2 children)
What can go wrong, I wonder?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 3, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 22 2020, @06:59AM (1 child)
All of Mumbai goes offline. It can be a good thing.
Suddenly half of Redmond goes offline too. Things are looking up.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 22 2020, @12:11PM
> All of Mumbai goes offline.
Next stop Nigerian princes.
(Score: 4, Touché) by Runaway1956 on Friday May 22 2020, @06:52AM (5 children)
The vigilante may or may not be right, in that he only targets scammers. If he is right, cool, we have a modern day Robin Hood. How does he know, though, unless he has been scammed?
None of that matters though, if they ever get his ass into court. Evil hacker vs taxpaying business - the hacker always loses in court. (Never mind that scammers probably aren't paying taxes, of absolute minimal taxes based on fraudulent reporting.)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 22 2020, @02:52PM (1 child)
Do you really think a scammer would risk taking them to court?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 22 2020, @05:44PM
Yes. Lawyers are the best scammers of all, unless you count their rank up - politician.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 22 2020, @02:55PM (1 child)
I'd like to see what happens in court when you get federal felony charges for hacking another hacker.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 22 2020, @03:48PM
Jury Nullification.
(Score: 5, Interesting) by PinkyGigglebrain on Friday May 22 2020, @05:00PM
Robin Hood would get the money back and return it to the victims.
I'd put this person in "The Punisher" category, breaks the law but makes the bad guys suffer.
More power to him :)
"Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."
(Score: 2) by PinkyGigglebrain on Friday May 22 2020, @05:09PM (1 child)
If the software is encrypting the target's data, then deleting the keys, and never asks for money how does is qualify as "ransomeware"? [wikipedia.org]
Maybe time for a new class of software?
"Vengencware"
wi'd butter!
"Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 22 2020, @08:09PM
Something like this? Not new, my copy is archived from 1996 and I'm fairly certain it is much older,
Newsgroups: rec.humor.oracle.d
Subject: Re: The Usenet Oracle is pondering your question.
......
First there was email, then there was talk, then voice communication, now Corleone Systems introduces the latest development in Internet communications...H.I.T. - Homicidal Internet Transfer. Now you can ice your enemy from the comfort of your computer desk. Whether someone is being a nuisance on a mailing list or trying to move in on your territory you can effortlessly and without trace kill anyone with an email address.
Here's how it works: Connect to your local internet provider (SLIP/PPP connection required). Once connected, switch to H.I.T. and select any one of three options: Threat, maim, kill. Enter the address and either custom or auto mode. In custom mode you can select the means and method of the hit or threat, or if you are in a hurry select auto and let H.I.T do the work for you. Once you've selected your action option H.I.T. sends email to the victim using the special H.I.T. protocol. When the victim checks their mail the punishment is inflicted, while you are miles away. Note, this is not a virus so it does not violate Federal laws and although it is our opinion that activities involving H.I.T. are protected under the Constitutional guarantees of free speech and the right to bear arms, Corleone Software takes no responsibility legally or otherwise and use of H.I.T. is wholly at the discretion of the user.
Features in H.I.T. version 2.0:
-Planner so you can schedule threats, maims and kills ahead of time
-Threat now features both veiled and overt threats
-User defined editor for custom mode
-Gang war feature allows group H.I.T.s
-Maim now warns if a custom maim will kill instead of just injure
-Bounced email bug fixed
-Auto kill no longer uses the header 'Make Money Fast' or 'Good Times'
-Compatible versions available for DOS, Windows 3.11, Windows 95, OS/2,
MacOS, UNIX.
Check out a shareware version of H.I.T at ftp.seedeerom.kom and try 5 kills and if H.I.T. fits your need its registration price is just $39.99...and we DO suggest you register it if you intend to use it, because we know where you live....
......
I took the liberty of fixing some spelling errors in my copy.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by anubi on Friday May 22 2020, @11:42PM
While I am gratified they are doing this,
I am pissed that they CAN do this.
I am so fed up with this crap modern OS that mixes code and data.
Executable masquerading as a document file, my ass.
People have no business running software of only business grade integrity on their home machines.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]