ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

‘Pay $4.5 Million and Withdraw New Pricing Policy’: Hackers Threaten To Leak Stolen Reddit Data

In February, hackers claimed to have acquired 80 gigabytes of sensitive data during a breach.
PUBLISHED JUN 22, 2023
Cover Image Source: Facebook/Reddit | Pexels/Tima Miroshnichenko
Cover Image Source: Facebook/Reddit | Pexels/Tima Miroshnichenko

Reddit, which is already facing protests by various communities on the popular online platform, is now being targeted by hackers. The BlackCat ransomware gang, also known as ALPHV, is once again demanding a $4.5 million payout for the "deletion of the stolen data and its silence".

In February, hackers had claimed to have acquired 80 gigabytes of sensitive data during a breach. According to CNN Business, in a post on the dark web, reviewed by CNN and an independent cybersecurity expert, the group threatened to leak the data if Reddit failed to comply with their demands.

$4.5 Million Payout and Their Silence

This demand was made back in April, but Reddit didn't respond. The lack of acknowledgment likely spurred the hackers to escalate their actions and put more pressure on the company.

Image Source: Pexels/Brett Jordan
Image Source: Pexels/Brett Jordan

To increase the pressure on Reddit, the hackers issued a second demand. They asked Reddit to retract its controversial new pricing policy that has generated significant backlash from influential users of the platform. The policy involves charging substantial fees for certain third-party apps seeking access to Reddit. By aligning their demands with the protestors' cause, the hackers aim to maximize the harm caused to Reddit's reputation and increase the likelihood of payment.

The February Breach: What Happened?

Reddit CTO Chris Slowe had disclosed details of a security incident in early February. The breach was a result of a sophisticated phishing attack that allowed hackers access to internal documents, code, and some internal business systems. The company had clarified that no user data was compromised during the breach, limiting the potential harm caused.

Image Source: Pexels/Sora Shimazaki
Image Source: Pexels/Sora Shimazaki

In response to the hackers' recent threats, a Reddit spokesperson confirmed that the post made by the BlackCat ransomware gang relates to the February breach. The spokesperson reiterated that no user data was compromised. However, the spokesperson refrained from providing further comment on the matter, leaving many questions unanswered.

The Reddit Protests: A Coincidence or Connected?

Reddit is facing massive protests from thousands of its forums. Over 6,000 forums went dark in a two-day protest against the platform's plan to charge exorbitant fees for certain third-party apps' access. A week later, over 3,500 forums remained offline. While the hackers' ransom note seemingly aligns with the protestors' cause, some experts express skepticism about the hackers' motives, suspecting their primary goal is financial gain rather than supporting the protestors' stance.

Image Source: Pexels/Andri
Image Source: Pexels/Andri

According to Brett Callow, a cybersecurity threat analyst at Emsisoft, it is possible that the hackers do not have a genuine concern for Reddit's pricing policy. Instead, their objective might be to demonstrate the potential harm they can inflict on future victims, thereby increasing the likelihood of payment. Callow's analysis sheds light on the possible ulterior motives behind the hackers' demands and highlights the importance of remaining cautious and skeptical in such situations.

The consequences of leaking the stolen data could be severe. The leaked information could harm Reddit's reputation, erode user trust, and potentially lead to legal consequences. The company will undoubtedly be evaluating its options and considering the potential impact on its user base, advertisers, and overall standing in the digital landscape.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The painting had been with the guest for 30 years, and she was curious about it.
7 hours ago
It was hard for Harvey to digest what he was hearing from the senior players.
8 hours ago
The best friends, Hanna Chung and Laura Tarpley, got tricked by just one word in the end.
1 day ago
The player, Shannon Hunt got the host excited before missing the puzzle by a few letters.
1 day ago
The founder of Hairfin managed to make it through the heckling to get a deal.
1 day ago
The player, Jeff Richardson put up a stunning performance to drive home a new car.
2 days ago
Since Kevin O'Leary made the offer just to mess with Corcoran, the deal hit the Shark where it hurts.
2 days ago
Harrison chose to pass on the most important item of the collection for a strange reason.
2 days ago
The contestant, Alexa Kalanz was doing well throughout the game despite a rough start.
2 days ago
Despite having just 25% ownership of her company, Meagan Bowman managed to bag a $400,000 deal.
3 days ago
In the end, Harrison felt like he hit the jackpot as he knew every collector would be after the item.
3 days ago
Former players and audience members shared how the show deals with controversial statements.
4 days ago
Fans were divided on whether Adam Wredberg's Bonus Round puzzle was solvable or not.
4 days ago
The lucky win delighted the fans as the contestant, Sunita Baru took home more than $50,000.
5 days ago
Chris and Jeanie Rodgers didn't just beat up the zombie on the show, but also had him present their product to the judges.
5 days ago
Fans on Reddit complained complained that some games are either overly difficult by design or favor only physically fit contestants.
5 days ago
Contestant Joey Sweet took the loss in stride, but the show's viewers weren't happy with the puzzle selection.
6 days ago
A lot of things on set were put to the test during the "Is it real or is it cake?" challenge, including the host.
6 days ago
Fans were left disappointed after the contestant, Alicia Slagle, failed to guess an easy phrase in the finale.
6 days ago