Darknet Diaries

135: The D.R. Incident

65 snips
Jul 4, 2023
Guest
Omar Avilez
Omar Avilez, a cybersecurity expert from the CSIRT of the Dominican Republic, shares thrilling insights from a major cyber incident he navigated. He delves into the escalating cyber warfare in the region, particularly the threats posed by the notorious Conti ransomware group. Omar discusses a wave of sophisticated phishing attacks targeting government agencies and the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures. He highlights vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and underscores the necessity for proactive defense strategies against evolving cyber threats.
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ANECDOTE

Costa Rica Attack

  • Conti ransomware attacks crippled 20 Costa Rican government organizations.
  • Each department was infected separately, some through phishing and some through internet-connected systems.
ANECDOTE

Hidden Malware Discovery

  • While investigating, Omar found malware unrelated to Conti on a defaced website.
  • The malware, present for ten months, exploited an unknown Windows vulnerability.
ANECDOTE

Quantum Ransomware Attack

  • The Dominican Republic's agricultural department suffered a Quantum ransomware attack.
  • Omar stopped its spread, but the attackers' identity remained unknown.
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