Jun 2, 2021 - World

FBI: Russia-linked REvil behind ransomware attack on meatpacker JBS

Axios

An American subsidiary of Brazilian meat processor JBS told the US government that it has received a ransom demand in a cyberattack it believes originated in Russia — The JBS meat placing plant in Plainwell, Michigan. Photo: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images

The FBI said Wednesday that the Russia-linked REvil ransomware group was responsible for the cyberattack that forced major meat supplier JBS to shut down its beef plants across the United States.

What they're saying: "We have attributed the JBS attack to REvil and Sodinokibi and are working diligently to bring the threat actors to justice," the FBI said in a statement. "We continue to focus our efforts on imposing risk and consequences and holding the responsible cyber actors accountable."

The big picture: JBS said Tuesday that a "vast majority" of its plants will be operational starting Wednesday.

The attack has raised fears of meat supply or pricing issues, similar to what happened to gas prices and availability after the ransomware attack against Colonial Pipeline last month.

The White House said Wednesday that President Biden "launched a rapid strategic review to address the increased threat of ransomware."

“We do expect this to be one of the issues that the President will discuss with [Russian] President Putin at the summit” this month, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.
“President Biden certainly thinks that President Putin and the Russian government has a role to play in stopping and preventing these attacks,” she added.

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FBI: Russia-linked REvil behind ransomware attack on meatpacker JBS

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