We have seen that the ransomware gangs are everywhere and their business model is to first hack data from companies and then demand money for releasing that particular data or else they threaten to leak the same. Now, it is seen that they also generally target those companies that have important data that need not be leaked or there is a problem for them and their investors. However, this ransomware gang is different in a way that although they have hacked the company and ask for a ransom, they have targeted a law firm based in New York.
More importantly, this law firm has had contacts with many famous personalities including Lady Gaga and the US President Donald Trump. The ransomware group by the name of REvil now says that they want $42 million in order to release the data or else they will release information regarding the US President that will throw dirt on him.
The hackers also posted a screenshot of the hacked data which shows that they have found details of clients such as GSMS customers, included the likes of Lady Gaga, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Bruce Springsteen, Bette Midler, U2, Outkast, Jessica Simpson, Cam Newton, Facebook, and more.
They also claim that the details inside these files is something that will put a lot of concerns on the US President and details regarding his case will be revealed. As a teaser, the group has “released a 2.4 GB archive containing Lady Gaga legal documents, most of which were contracts for concerts, merchandising, and TV appearances”. While this shows that they really have something big on their hands, the details released don’t have anything particular other than the personal details of Lady Gaga and her concerts which might be useful for some. It is known that GMS has agreed to pay only $365,000 for the data which is why hackers have doubled their asking price to $42 million.