Cybercriminal groups have set their sights on a new target: religious institutions. Over the weekend, two well-established hacking groups claimed responsibility for attacks on these organizations, departing from their focus on corporations and government agencies.
The notorious LockBit ransomware gang added Relentless Church, based in South Carolina, to its roster of victims. They allegedly stole various employee data, including financial documents and passports. Despite having over 15,000 members and attracting more than 100,000 online viewers during services, the evangelical megachurch did not provide any comment on the matter.
The following day, the data extortion group Karakurt claimed responsibility for attacking ‘Our Sunday Visitor,’ a Catholic publishing company that produces a range of religious materials, including newsletters, books, and pamphlets. Established in 1912, the organization has grown from a parish news bulletin into a publisher of Catholic content.
Karakurt hackers claimed to have obtained 130 gigabytes of data, including employee data, accounting documents, HR information, financial contracts, marketing information, and invoices.
Further details
Jim Weigert, Our Sunday Visitor’s chief marketing officer, confirmed that the company recently “discovered suspicious activity” within their network.
“Upon discovering this, we immediately took steps to secure our systems and launch a comprehensive investigation,” he said, adding that third-party experts were called, and law enforcement was notified. “Our servers remained fully operational throughout this process,” he said.
Cybercriminals are often motivated by financial gain and a desire for power and control. They may also feel a sense of anonymity and lack of accountability when operating online, which can encourage them to engage in criminal activities.
Cybercriminal behavior is complex and can be influenced by various factors, including socioeconomic conditions, technological access, and individual psychology. Still, when talking about Lockbit ransomware, it is shocking that they apologized for targeting young children’s hospitals for their motives.
In the end
Cybercrime is a serious threat that can have severe consequences for the organizations and individuals affected. It is concerning to see that religious institutions have become targets of cybercriminals, as these institutions often hold sensitive information and play a significant role in people’s lives.
It has become essential for all organizations, including religious institutions, to prioritize cybersecurity measures to protect their data and prevent such attacks from occurring.
PureVPN
May 4, 2023
1 year ago
