Russians who deployed ransomware against hospitals are charged

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged nine people with using the Conti ransomware variant to attack over 900 victims worldwide, including healthcare providers, disrupting critical infrastructure. One of those charged, Maksim Galochkin (aka Bentley), faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The DOJ alleges he “caused the transmission of the Conti malware,” ultimately hindering the provision of medical care. FBI data shows Conti ransomware was the most used in critical infrastructure attacks in 2021.