Cops turn LockBit ransomware gang's countdown timers against them

In seizing and dismantling LockBit's infrastructure, Western cops are now making a mockery of the ransomware criminals by promising a long, drawn-out disclosure of the gang's secrets. After the infosec world was invigorated by the announcement of LockBit's site being seized yesterday, the authorities involved in the takedown …

[Anonymous Coward]

Where?

So get those laughs in and marvel at the brilliantly defaced site while you still can. But what's the address to laugh at?

[Lord Elpuss]

Re: Where?

I'm guessing it's a .onion site.

[ChipsforBreakfast]

Re: Where?

It is indeed a .onion site and it's really not difficult to find if you look for it. My guess is El Reg didn't include it because a lot of web filters block anything with a .onion link by default, no other reason.

[Craig 2]

Re: Where?

I doubt it's aimed at the unwashed masses (ie. us). People who are angry make bad decisions and there's nothing like a bit of ridiculing to make the hackers try for some hasty payback. I would bet the law are hoping to glean some extra intel...

[Beach pebble]

"Nobody does a middle finger – digital or analog – quite like the British."

I do recall the British are rather happy doing a 2 finger salute despite very little use of bows these days, the index finger waving is more of a USA variant.

[NoneSuch]

That's why we have two hands. So both options can be exercised at once.

[Doctor Syntax]

I was thinking more along the lines of "They don't like it up 'em, Mr Mainwaring, they don't like it up 'em".

[Anonymous Coward]

They'll have pissed off a lot of people. That's a given. They'll have also pissed off some unpleasant people and, I imagine a few extremely unpleasant people. Just the kind of folk who would express their disapproval in fairly extreme ways without such trivial considerations like national borders or areas of sovereign jurisdiction.

Has something of the ring of The Patricians hand in it.

[notyetanotherid]

> I was thinking more along the lines of "They don't like it up 'em, Mr Mainwaring, they don't like it up 'em".

Surely that would be "Captain Mainwaring" to a mere Lance Corporal, or more likely "sir"...?

[The Oncoming Scorn]

I came to post something similar however....

While the Brits are rather happy doing a two finger salute, the finger waving has more of a Joan "George - Don't do that!" imagery.

The USA index finger waving is more of a upward jerk like the British two finger type.

Pints (Beer, wine & yellow coloured water depending on nationality) all round to the teams involved in the takedown.

[Citizen99]

Middle finger, surely ? Asking for a friend.

[Tron]

I suppose they earned their corn, but...

...it's cheaper to pay for a hit in Russia or China than fart around with onion sites (or pay ransoms). I'm sure the Russians and Chinese would happily do that. The West is soft. That's why they keep screwing our systems and taking our cash.

[ChoHag]

Re: I suppose they earned their corn, but...

Or: The west is soft, that's why we have so much cash for them to want.

We don't need to take a hit out on anyone. We can afford to do it the hard way.

[Mike007]

Re: I suppose they earned their corn, but...

That's the day after the release of identities.

Funded by someone with a parallel agenda.

Nothing to do with law enforcement.

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*hint* *hint* I know you're reading this *hint* *hint*

[Ashentaine]

Re: I suppose they earned their corn, but...

If the LockBit gang happens to be sponsored by the Russian state though, then this will probably put them on the bad side of Putin and the problem will eventually resolve itself (most likely via a tall building and an open window, like so many of Putin's other "problems" lately). Why pay for such unsavory services when you can find ways to have them done for free, and keep your own hands clean as well?

[aerogems]

Now that makes me wonder if any of those groups that spread this kind of malware have ever been hit by it themselves. I'm guessing it has, but it's one of those stories that never gets told.

[Splod]

:)

Good to see the NCA has a sense of irony. Excellent work.