Putinkrab

Putinkrab, a threat actor, is known for its involvement in the development and use of highly successful ransomware strains. Emerging onto the scene in 2019, Putinkrab first appeared on Russian cybercrime forums such as XSS, Exploit, and UFOLabs, where they sold ransomware source code written in C. Throughout the summer of that year, Putinkrab continually updated the community about new features being added to their ransomware strain and shared novel evasion techniques to avoid detection by security tools. The actor expressed confidence in their ransomware code, describing it as a game-changer and lucrative money machine. In May 2024, a collaborative effort between the FBI, UK National Crime Agency, and Europol led to the unmasking of Putinkrab's identity. The individual behind the alias was revealed to be Dimitry Yuryevich Khoroshev, also known as LockBitSupp or LockBit, a 31-year-old from Voronezh, Russia. Khoroshev was identified as the admin of the LockBit ransomware operation, a sophisticated campaign that had caused significant disruption and financial losses. Following his identification, sanctions were imposed against him. The case of Putinkrab underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating cyber threats. His activity highlights the potential for individuals or groups to leverage ransomware as a tool for generating substantial profits, while also demonstrating the evolving tactics used by such actors to evade detection. It further emphasizes the need for ongoing vigilance and innovation within the cybersecurity industry to counter such threats effectively.