APT Hackers Target Maritime Industry with Ransomware Attacks

The maritime industry, crucial for 90% of global trade, is facing a surge in ransomware attacks from advanced persistent threat (APT) groups. Over the past year, more than a hundred cyberattacks have targeted shipping organizations, combining traditional espionage tactics with destructive payloads to disrupt operations and demand ransoms.

Geopolitical tensions have influenced these attacks, with pro-Palestinian hacktivists targeting Israeli vessels and Russian groups focusing on European ports. Chinese state actors, including the Mustang Panda group, have infiltrated shipping companies in Norway, Greece, and the Netherlands, embedding malware in operational systems and using USB drives to bypass security measures.

APT41 has also deployed sophisticated malware like ShadowPad and VELVETSHELL within maritime environments, exploiting vulnerabilities in VSAT communications systems. These coordinated attacks highlight the growing threat to maritime infrastructure, as hackers seek to hold operations hostage while extracting sensitive data.

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