US Offers $15 Million in Rewards for Tips on Hive Ransomware Gang Members

The US State Department has offered a $10 million reward for information that could help identify or locate Hive ransomware gang members. In addition, the FBI upped the ante with an extra $5 million for information that could lead to the arrest or conviction of Hive ransomware members.

FBI Sweetens the Pot, Bringing Total to $15 Million

The FBI’s offer extends not only to past Hive ransomware members but to “any individual in any country conspiring to participate in or attempting to participate in Hive ransomware activity.”

“The Hive ransomware variant targeted victims in over 80 countries, including the United States,” says the Department of State in a press release. “Beginning in late July 2022, the FBI penetrated Hive’s computer networks, obtained its decryption keys, and offered them to victims worldwide, preventing victims from having to pay up to $130 million in ransoms demanded.”

A Year Since Hive’s Downfall

The announcement comes about a year after the FBI dismantled the group’s infrastructure in an operation that involved infiltrating its ranks and stealthily monitoring the gang for six months.

During the operation, authorities took over the ransomware gang’s infrastructure, captured its decryption keys and shared them with its victims, preventing them from having to pay a combined $130 million in ransom.

After infiltrating Hive’s servers in July 2022, the FBI shared approximately 1,300 decryption keys to current and previous victims of the ransomware gang. The operation saved the gang’s victims a tremendous amount in ransomware payments and stunted Hive’s ability to regroup to sting again.

Signs of New Activity or Just Extra Caution?

However, considering the bounty was posted a year after Hive’s downfall, the timing could spark speculation and inquiry.

On one hand, the delay in announcing such a hefty bounty could suggest a resurgence of activities reminiscent of Hive's ransomware campaigns, possibly indicating that remnants of the group are regrouping or that new actors have adopted Hive's mantle.

On the other hand, it raises questions about the effectiveness of the initial takedown, suggesting growing frustration within law enforcement circles over the elusive nature of Hive's members, who remain unidentified and at large.

Officials have yet to confirm any speculation, but the juxtaposition of the bounty announcement and the takedown anniversary invites a deeper examination of the current threat landscape.

Keeping Safe Against Hive

Using dedicated security software is crucial in protecting against Hive ransomware and other threat actors that could jeopardize the security of both your digital and physical assets.

Bitdefender Ultimate Security encompasses comprehensive detection and prevention modules against ransomware, viruses, Trojans, worms, spyware, rootkits, zero-day exploits, phishing attacks, and other digital threats.