KADOKAWA, a prominent Japanese publishing company, was hit by a cyberattack in June 2024, reportedly carried out by the Russian-linked hacking group BlackSuit.
The attack targeted servers located in KADOKAWA’s data center, including those hosting major video platforms.
Ransom Payment and Data Leak
According to the post from HackManac, In a recent development, it has been confirmed that KADOKAWA paid a ransom of $2.98 million in cryptocurrency to the hackers.
Emails sent by the hackers to KADOKAWA executives on December 12 revealed the receipt of the payment.
However, despite the payment, the hackers proceeded to leak the stolen internal information, raising questions about the effectiveness of KADOKAWA’s response to the attack.
Security Concerns and Debate
The transaction was verified by security firm Unknown Technologies, which confirmed a $2.98 million transaction on the internet in June.
This has sparked a debate about KADOKAWA’s handling of the situation and the broader implications for cybersecurity in the industry.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by companies in dealing with ransomware attacks and the unpredictable nature of cybercriminals.
The hacking group BlackSuit has claimed responsibility for the attack and has threatened to release additional stolen data if further demands are not met.
The incident has also raised concerns about the vulnerability of Japanese companies to cyberattacks and the need for enhanced security protocols.
The case of KADOKAWA serves as a cautionary tale for other organizations, emphasizing the importance of proactive cybersecurity strategies and the potential consequences of underestimating the threats posed by cybercriminals.
Also Read:
%20(1)%20(1).webp?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1&description=The attack targeted servers located in KADOKAWA's data center, including those hosting major video platforms.){kind=link}