New Ransomware Group Claims Attack on US Telecom Firm WideOpenWest

A new ransomware group claims to have hacked the systems of US telecommunications provider WideOpenWest (WOW!), and to have taken control of critical systems, in addition to stealing customer information.

Calling itself Arkana Security, the threat actor claims to be performing penetration testing, hacking into organizations’ networks by exploiting vulnerabilities in corporate systems. They also steal the victims’ data to coerce them into paying a so-called “fee”.

The same as other ransomware groups, however, Arkana relies on various tactics to extort its victims, listing their names on its Tor-based leak site and threatening to sell the allegedly stolen data on the dark web and to make it public unless a ransom is paid.

In addition to shaming its victims, Arkana appears to engage in doxxing activities, publishing sensitive personal information on the breached organization’s leadership on the leak site.

This week, the group listed on the leak site its ...