Hunters International Ransomware Gang Shuts Down and Offers Free Decryption Keys to All Victims

In a shocking move, the notorious Hunters International ransomware gang announced its shutdown on its dark web site, citing "recent developments" without specifying details. The group's decision to cease operations was made after careful consideration, and they acknowledged the significant impact their activities had on affected organizations.

"We, at Hunters International, wish to inform you of a significant decision regarding our operations," reads the group's announcement published on the Tor leak site. "After careful consideration and in light of recent developments, we have decided to close the Hunters International project. This decision was not made lightly, and we recognize the impact it has on the organizations we have interacted with."

The Hunters International ransomware gang was notorious for its brazen attacks on organizations worldwide, including Tata Technologies and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, which were among its almost 300 victims over the past two years. The group's shutdown marks a significant blow to cybercriminals, who often rely on such operations to fund their illicit activities.

However, in a surprising move, Hunters International announced that it would be offering free decryption software to all companies that have been impacted by its ransomware. This gesture of goodwill aims to help victims recover their encrypted data without the burden of paying ransoms.

"As a gesture of goodwill and to assist those affected by our previous activities, we are offering free decryption software to all companies that have been impacted by our ransomware," the group stated. "Our goal is to ensure that you can recover your encrypted data without the burden of paying ransoms. We understand the challenges that ransomware attacks pose, and we hope that this initiative will help you regain access to your critical information swiftly and efficiently."

However, despite this generous offer, it appears that no decryption keys are currently available for download on the Hunters International website. Experts suspect that this might be a strategic move to cut ties with old infrastructure, which poses risks of law enforcement tracking.

"We believe that the Hunters International shutdown may be a strategic rebrand into a new group called World Leaks," said [expert name], a cybersecurity expert who has been monitoring the threat landscape. "The use of similar code by both groups suggests that the same threat actors are involved, but the new infrastructure and ransomware used by World Leaks may pose different risks."

The move by Hunters International to offer free decryption keys is seen as an attempt to maintain a sense of legitimacy and control in the dark web, despite their eventual shutdown. However, it remains to be seen how effective this strategy will be in mitigating the impact of their activities.

Conclusion

The sudden shutdown of Hunters International ransomware gang marks a significant blow to cybercriminals, who often rely on such operations to fund their illicit activities. The group's generous offer of free decryption software to its victims is seen as an attempt to maintain a sense of legitimacy and control in the dark web.