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May 29, 2024
Potent youth cybercrime ring made up of 1,000 people, FBI official says
CyberScoop
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Contributed by: Drex DeFord
Summary
A senior FBI official recently disclosed that Scattered Spider, a cybercriminal group implicated in multiple high-profile breaches, consists of approximately 1,000 individuals. At the Sleuthcon conference, Bryan Vorndran, assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, characterized the group as vast and dispersed, with many members not knowing each other directly. Known also as “0ktapus” or UNC3944 by cybersecurity firms, Scattered Spider has targeted big-name companies like MGM Resorts and Okta. Its members, primarily from the U.S. and the U.K., specialize in social engineering to gain network access and have collaborated with ransomware groups. The group is recognized as a top cybersecurity threat, with parallels to nation-state actors. The FBI has faced criticism for limited arrests but emphasizes ongoing efforts and some private actions. The potent threat from groups like Scattered Spider has spurred calls for more resources and attention to cybercrime, comparable to those for state-aligned cyber operations.
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