Analyst Insight
This week in cyber, legal and regulatory developments have been a focus. Several former REvil ransomware members have been released after serving sentences for carding and malware-related activity, showing significant efforts in international cybercrime enforcement. The U.S. House of Representatives has banned WhatsApp from staff devices due to security concerns, underlining growing scrutiny of encrypted messaging platforms in government environments. In the UK, Oxford City Council suffered a breach exposing 20 years of personal data, adding to a concerning trend of attacks on local government systems. Meanwhile, the arrest of “IntelBroker” allegedly British national Kai West, shows the scale of damage a single threat actor can cause, with over $25 million in damages attributed to his cybercrime activities. Read more in this week in cyber.
BreachForums Admin “IntelBroker” Arrested For Causing $25 Million in Damages
Kai West, a British citizen, has been charged with being attributed to the online identity “IntelBroker” Authorities say he hacked into computer networks, stole sensitive data, and sold it on the dark web, causing millions of dollars in damage to dozens of victims worldwide. “WEST, and his online co-conspirators, took that stolen data, and offered it for sale online for more than $2 million. Collectively, WEST, through the “IntelBroker” identity and his online co-conspirators, caused in excess of $25 million in damages to victims.” “the US DOJ states. “Between approximately 2023 to 2025, WEST offered hacked data for sale approximately 41 times; and offered to distribute hacked data for free approximately 117 times.” West, 25, now faces multiple federal charges, including conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and wire fraud. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
REvil Members Released After Serving Time for Carding and Malware-related Offences
Several individuals affiliated with the REvil ransomware group have been released after serving prison sentences for carding and malware-related offenses. Arrested in early 2022, the group was charged with cyber activities dating back to 2015, including large-scale financial fraud. Four members pleaded guilty and were granted time served, while others who contested the charges received slightly longer sentences. The cases were separated, and the outcomes varied based on cooperation and plea decisions.
Bessonov, Golovachuk, Muromsky, and Korotayev pleaded guilty and received credit for time already served, resulting in their release. Other members, such as Artem Zayets, Alexey Malozemov, Daniil Puzyrevsky, and Ruslan Khansvyarov, chose not to plead guilty and were sentenced to longer terms in separate trials.
U.S. House Bans WhatsApp on Staff Devices Over Data Security Concerns
The U.S. House of Representatives has imposed a ban on the installation and use of WhatsApp on government-issued devices, citing concerns over the app’s data encryption and security practices. The ban extends to mobile phones, laptops, desktop computers, and web browsers used on these devices.
While staff members can still use WhatsApp on personal devices, it remains prohibited in sensitive areas like classified briefings and secure facilities. This move follows a leaked internal email from the House’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), which labeled WhatsApp a “high-risk” communication platform. The CAO emphasized the priority of protecting the House’s data and regularly reviewing cybersecurity risks.
Oxford City Council Breach Exposes 20 Years of Personal Data
Oxford City Council has confirmed a significant data breach that exposed sensitive personal information spanning two decades. The breach, attributed to a cyberattack, compromised data from around 2000 to 2020, including names, addresses, and other personal details. The unauthorized access, which targeted the council’s IT systems, may have affected residents, council employees, and others who interacted with the council. The council is working with cybersecurity experts to investigate the breach and secure its systems.
Go Back
Blog & News
