Ryzhenkov Alexander Viktorovich

Ryzhenkov Alexander Viktorovich

Biography

2024: US charge over BitPaymer ransomware virus attacks

On October 1, 2024, the US Department of Justice announced that Russian Alexander Ryzhenkov was charged with using the BitPaymer ransomware virus to carry out attacks on American companies. It is associated with the cybercriminal groups Evil Corp and LockBit.

The indictment alleges that Ryzhenkov and other hackers used various methods to infiltrate victims' computer systems, including phishing, introducing malware and exploiting vulnerabilities in computer hardware and software. Ryzhenkov and accomplices, as stated in the message of the Ministry of Justice, used one of the modifications of the BitPaymer malware to encrypt files, followed by a ransom demand for restoring access to encoded information. According to the US department, Ryzhenkov demanded "millions of dollars" from his victims.

Alexander Ryzhenkov extorted money from victim companies throughout the United States, encrypting their confidential information. Combating the threat from extortion groups is one of our top priorities, "said Nicole Argentieri, First Deputy Assistant Attorney General, head of the Justice Department's criminal division.

The publication emphasizes that attacks using ransomware can paralyze the company for a long time. Moreover, regardless of whether the ransom is paid, recovery from such an invasion, as a rule, requires a lot of money and time.

The FBI, along with partners, continues to use all resources to punish criminals engaged in ransomware attacks. Attackers will be prosecuted under the law, "said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate[1]

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