The Financial Times reports that the ransomware group linked to the recent cyberattacks on U.K. retailers Marks and Spencer, Harrods, and the Co-Op has begun a turf war with its rivals, triggering a battle within the industry that could bring more hacks and further fallout for corporate victims.
DragonForce, a group of largely Russian-speaking cyber criminals behind a spate of high-profile attacks this year, has clashed with one of its biggest competitors RansomHub, according to cybersecurity experts tracking the battle to dominate the booming criminal ransomware sector.
They warn that the conflict between the two groups, which operate in the ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) market, could increase risks for companies, including the potential of being extorted twice.
Toby Lewis, global head of threat analysis at Darktrace, said there was “no honor among thieves” in the hacking world.
The global cost of cybercrime is estimated to reach $10 trillion in 2025, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. The figure—which is up from $3 trillion in 2015—comes as hacker groups have increasingly looked to maximize profit through their attacks.
“Remember this is a Wild West, lawless environment where normal competition rules simply do not apply,” Jake Moore, global cybersecurity adviser at ESET, warned.