DeadLock is a ransomware family discovered in July 2025. It is notable for not being associated with any known affiliate programs and for lacking a Data Leak Site (DLS). This, combined with the limited number of reported victims, has resulted in low exposure for the group. However, Group-IB specialists have discovered an interesting use of Polygon smart contracts for proxy server address rotation or distribution.
This finding warrants public attention, especially since the abuse of this specific blockchain for malicious purposes has not been widely reported. In addition, the recent discovery of similar techniques show that the abuse of smart contracts for malicious purposes could become an emerging trend.
Read more…
Source: Group IB
Sign up for the Cyber Security Review Newsletter
The latest cyber security news and insights delivered right to your inbox
Related:
- Threat Spotlight: The Andromeda Botnet
May 22, 2020
The Andromeda botnet, also known as Gamarue or Wauchos, was first introduced to the public in 2011. During this time it was used to distribute large quantities of malware. According to Microsoft the Andromeda botnet was used to spread more than 80 malware families including ransomware, worms, and more. Andromeda is a modular malware, meaning additional components can ...
- NSO Group Impersonates Facebook Security Team to Spread Spyware — Report
May 22, 2020
According to an investigative journalist team, the Israeli authors of the infamous Pegasus mobile spyware, NSO Group, have been using a spoofed Facebook login page, crafted to look like an internal Facebook security team portal, to lure victims in. The news comes as Facebook alleges that NSO Group has been using U.S.-based infrastructure to launch espionage ...
- Chafer APT Hits Middle East Govs With Latest Cyber-Espionage Attacks
May 22, 2020
Researchers have uncovered new cybercrime campaigns from the known Chafer advanced persistent threat (APT) group. The attacks have hit several air transportation and government victims in hopes of data exfiltration. The Chafer APT has been active since 2014 and has previously launched cyber espionage campaigns targeting critical infrastructure in the Middle East. This most recent wave of cyberattacks ...
- Windows malware opens RDP ports on PCs for future remote access
May 22, 2020
Security researchers say they’ve spotted a new version of the Sarwent malware that opens RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) ports on infected computers so hackers could gain hands-on access to infected hosts. Researchers from SentinelOne, who spotted this new version, believe the Sarwent operators are most likely preparing to sell access to these systems on the cybercrime ...
- Factory Security Problems from an IT Perspective (Part 1): Gap between the objectives of IT and OT
May 21, 2020
In the cybersecurity industry, key words such as “smart factories,” the “Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT),” and “Industry 4.0” have come to the fore. The business environment that the manufacturing industry operates in is undergoing drastic changes and entering a transition period. Nowadays, it may be difficult to find companies that do not include Digital ...
- Backdoor, Devil Shadow Botnet Hidden in Fake Zoom Installers
May 21, 2020
Cybercriminals are taking advantage of “the new normal” — involving employees’ remote working conditions and the popularity of user-friendly online tools — by abusing and spoofing popular legitimate applications to infect systems with malicious routines. We found two malware files that pose as Zoom installers but when decoded, contains the malware code. These malicious fake ...