The 3AM ransomware group, also referred to as ThreeAM, made its debut in the latter half of 2023. Unlike other notorious ransomware threats, 3AM orchestrates a dual-attack strategy by exfiltrating sensitive information from victims, threatening to publicly release it unless a ransom payment is made, while simultaneously encrypting all copies of targeted files on affected organizations’ computer systems.
While it’s true that 3AM holds some significance, there are indeed certain aspects worth highlighting.
The 3AM ransomware is relatively rare because it’s developed in Rust. Given the malware’s focus on encryption and evasion techniques, it is likely that the attackers chose Rust for its emphasis on speed, reliability, and low-level memory control.
With hundreds of millions of records to encrypt across a victim’s network, speed is crucial. As time elapses in your theft of sensitive data, the greater the likelihood that your attack will be detected while still unfolding and potentially thwarted.
The 3AM ransomware appends the “.threeamtime” extension to encrypted files, accompanied by the distinctive “0x666” marker string, indicating its presence. This malicious action also erases Quantity Shadow copies, thereby significantly hindering the ability of victims to restore their systems in the event of a data recovery attempt. Moreover, it appears that 3AM was originally conceived as a backup for the notorious .
Unfortunately, there isn’t a universally accepted term that means “not ‘backup’ as in a ‘backup of your information’, but slightly as a ‘backup plan'”. When a LockBit ransomware attack fails to achieve the desired impact, 3AM is often utilized as a last resort measure.
Sure, that is proper. Authorities have identified Dmitry Khoroshev, a Russian national, as the alleged administrator of the LockBit hacking group, with data pointing to his involvement in the circumstances surrounding his arrest. It appears that the perpetrators of the 3AM operation maintain strong connections with the LockBit group, primarily utilize the Russian language, and primarily target Western-affiliated countries. The rumors surrounding 3AM’s involvement have persisted, with whispers of an alleged connection to the mysterious file.
At 3 AM, attackers drop a ransom note on compromised systems, alerting targets that sensitive data has been exfiltrated and offering “a proposal” to prevent its sale on the dark web.
Several organizations have inadvertently breached three AM, including the Louisiana-based HVAC company, along with those from New York. The breach affected more than just sensitive data, including Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses, payroll records, and personal health information for both Hoboken staff and residents, as a compromised employee’s computer also stored explicit short stories.
It appears unlikely. The notorious darknet forum 3AM publicly showcases its cybercrime exploits by publishing lists of compromised individuals alongside links to illicitly obtained sensitive data, a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of online vulnerability.
To completely eliminate the risk of a successful ransomware attack, consider hardening your defenses by implementing robust cybersecurity measures? It would be sensible to observe Tripwire’s normal protocols. These embody:
- making safe offsite backups.
- Ensuring seamless operation by maintaining up-to-date safety protocols and safeguarding computer systems against emerging vulnerabilities through timely installation of the latest security patches.
- Prevent lateral movement attacks within your organization through effective community segmentation.
- Implementing robust, unyielding passwords to safeguard sensitive data and online profiles, as well as activating multi-factor verification measures.
- encrypting delicate information wherever doable.
- Disabling underperforming assets to reduce the overall assault floor?
- Educating and informing employees on the hazards and tactics employed by cybercriminals to orchestrate attacks and pilfer sensitive data.
Prevent your organization from falling prey to the 3AM ransomware group’s attacks by maintaining robust security measures at all times.
