CyberWire Daily Taxing times for cyber fraudsters.
Jul 14, 2025
Cynthia Kaiser, Senior Vice President at Halcyon’s Ransomware Research Center and former FBI Cyber Division leader, dives into the world of cyber fraud. She reveals the tactics of Scattered Spider, a group known for sophisticated social engineering and aggressive business targeting. The discussion extends to vulnerabilities in systems, including a major tax fraud scheme leading to arrests, and the rise of ransomware threats. Kaiser emphasizes the crucial need for enhanced cybersecurity measures as both luxury brands and other sectors face increasing risks.
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Scattered Spider's Disruptive Speed
- Scattered Spider is a highly disruptive and fast-acting ransomware group targeting large companies for big payouts.
- Their rapid attacks impact many customers due to the scale of affected enterprises.
Outsourcing Providers Are Key Targets
- Scattered Spider targets business process outsourcing providers to reach larger targets indirectly.
- They recruit insiders in outsourcing firms, exploiting employee vulnerabilities for access.
Data Theft Fuels Extortion And Expansion
- Scattered Spider steals data more often than deploying ransomware to extort or sell information.
- The stolen data is valuable for identity theft and planning further attacks across connected companies.