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Hacker groupG1024

Akira

Also tracked as GOLD SAHARA, PUNK SPIDER, Howling Scorpius

Akira is a ransomware variant and ransomware deployment entity active since at least March 2023. Akira uses compromised credentials to access single-factor external access mechanisms such as VPNs for initial access, then various publicly-available tools and techniques for lateral movement. Akira operations are associated with "double extortion" ransomware activity, where data is exfiltrated from victim environments prior to encryption, with threats to publish files if a ransom is not paid. Technical analysis of Akira ransomware indicates variants capable of targeting Windows or VMWare ESXi hypervisors and multiple overlaps with Conti ransomware.

Known attack methods
17
Motive
Financial gain, Data theft
Source
MITRE ATT&CK

How they break in

Techniques MITRE has documented this group using, mapped onto the ATT&CK matrix. Each one is a behaviour you can look for in your own logs, and a control you can test.

Malware

Families MITRE records this group deploying. Detection names for these are a reasonable place to start.

AkiraAkira _v2Megazord

Tools

Legitimate or dual-use software the group is documented using. Most of it is software your own administrators use too, which is the point.

AdFindLaZagneMimikatzPsExecRclone