In a bizarre turn of events, the Federal Reserve’s website is currently inaccessible, with reports suggesting a cyberattack by the notorious LockBit 3.0 ransomware group.
According to unconfirmed sources, the hackers claim to have taken hostage 33 terabytes of “juicy information” and are demanding a ransom of a mere $50,000. This figure has reportedly been met with amusement by the hackers, who’ve issued a 48-hour deadline for the Fed to comply, threatening the release of the stolen data if their demands are not met.
The authenticity of these claims remains unverified. However, the Federal Reserve website has indeed been down for several hours, raising concerns about a potential security breach.
LockBit 3.0: A History of High Stakes
LockBit 3.0 is a well-known ransomware group responsible for numerous high-profile attacks in recent years. Their tactics typically involve stealing sensitive data from their targets and then demanding exorbitant ransoms for its return.
The group’s decision to target the Federal Reserve, coupled with their seemingly low ransom demand, has introduced an element of uncertainty into the situation. It’s unclear whether this is a genuine attempt at extortion or a calculated move designed to sow chaos.
Federal Reserve Yet to Comment
Officials at the Federal Reserve have yet to publicly comment on the situation. The FBI is reportedly investigating the incident, and further information is expected in the coming hours.
News of the alleged cyberattack has sent ripples through the financial markets, with investors closely monitoring the situation. The potential release of sensitive banking information could have significant ramifications for the global economy.
As the deadline looms, the world waits with bated breath to see how this unprecedented situation unfolds. Will the Federal Reserve cave to the hackers’ demands, or will they find a way to mitigate the damage? Only time will tell.