The FBI has issued a stark warning to Gmail and Microsoft Outlook users about the Medusa ransomware, a dangerous program that takes data hostage. The malicious software has already ensnared over 300 known victims across “critical infrastructure sectors”, such as hospitals, schools, and major businesses, by deploying phishing scams to exploit vulnerable software.
In a joint statement recently, the FBI and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) revealed that Medusa deceives users with counterfeit emails or websites, coaxing them into surrendering access data. Once the hackers gain entry, they lock all crucial files and make duplicates.
They then extort victims for a ransom ranging from $100,000 to $15 million (£77,000 to £11.5m), coupled with the threat of disclosing potentially humiliating information to the public, reports the Mirror US.
