Ryuk successor Conti Ransomware releases data leak site
By Lawrence Abrams
Published: 2020-08-25 · Archived: 2026-04-05 14:32:53 UTC
Conti ransomware, the successor of the notorious Ryuk, has released a data leak site as part of their extortion strategy to
force victims into paying a ransom.
In the past, when the TrickBot trojan infected a network, it would eventually lead to the deployment of the Ryuk
ransomware as a final attack.
According to Advanced Intel's Vitali Kremez, since July 2020, Ryuk is no longer being deployed, and in its place, the
TrickBot-linked operators, are now deploying the Conti ransomware.
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ryuk-successor-conti-ransomware-releases-data-leak-site/
Page 1 of 6

0:00
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ryuk-successor-conti-ransomware-releases-data-leak-site/
Page 2 of 6

Visit Advertiser websiteGO TO PAGE
Conti is a relatively new private Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) that has recruited experienced hackers to distribute the
ransomware in exchange for a large share of the ransom payment.
Submissions to ransomware identification site ID Ransomware also show the increased activity of Conti ransomware since
June 15th.
Conti submissions to ID-R
Ryuk on the other hand, has seen a steady decline since July.
Ryuk subnmissions
Conti releases a data leak site
When human-operated ransomware operations attack a corporate network, they commonly steal unencrypted data before
encrypting the files.
This stolen data is then used as leverage to get a victim to pay the ransom under threat that the files will be released on
ransomware data leak sites.
Conti ransomware has been active since this summer, but it wasn't until recently that it released its own 'Conti.News' data
leak site.
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ryuk-successor-conti-ransomware-releases-data-leak-site/
Page 3 of 6

Conti data leak site
This data leak site currently lists twenty-six victims, with some of the names being large and well-known companies.
For each victim listed, a dedicated page is created that contains samples of the stolen data.
Leaked data
The ransomware's adoption stealing data to be used in extortion is also reflected in the latest ransom notes from Conti.
In the past, the ransomware operators would just include a message that the victim was encrypted, and include two email
addresses to contact them.
Conti ransom notes now include specific language stating that they will publish a victim's data if a ransom is not paid, as
shown below. 
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ryuk-successor-conti-ransomware-releases-data-leak-site/
Page 4 of 6

Conti ransom note
Other ransomware operations that steal or have stolen unencrypted files to extort their victims include Ako, Avaddon, Clop,
CryLock, DoppelPaymer, Maze, MountLocker, Nemty, Nephilim, Netwalker, Pysa/Mespinoza, Ragnar Locker, REvil,
Sekhmet, Snatch, and Snake.
Automated Pentesting Covers Only 1 of 6 Surfaces.
Automated pentesting proves the path exists. BAS proves whether your controls stop it. Most teams run one without the
other.
This whitepaper maps six validation surfaces, shows where coverage ends, and provides practitioners with three diagnostic
questions for any tool evaluation.
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ryuk-successor-conti-ransomware-releases-data-leak-site/
Page 5 of 6

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ryuk-successor-conti-ransomware-releases-data-leak-site/
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ryuk-successor-conti-ransomware-releases-data-leak-site/
Page 6 of 6