APB Services Targeted by Play Ransomware Group

Incident Date:

May 12, 2024

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Overview

Title

APB Services Targeted by Play Ransomware Group

Victim

Nikolaus & Hohenadel LLP

Attacker

Bianlian

Location

Lancaster, USA

Pennsylvania, USA

First Reported

May 12, 2024

Ransomware Attack on APB Services

Victim Profile

APB Services, a provider of affordable payroll and bookkeeping services based in the USA, fell victim to a ransomware attack by the threat actor known as Play. The attack targeted the company's website and resulted in the exfiltration of sensitive data, including private and personal confidential information, client documents, budgets, payroll details, accounting records, contracts, tax documents, IDs, and financial information.

Company Overview

APB Services is a small to mid-size company that specializes in offering cost-effective payroll and bookkeeping solutions to clients in the United States. The company stands out in the industry for its commitment to providing affordable services tailored to the needs of small businesses and individuals.

Vulnerabilities

As a provider of financial services, APB Services holds a significant amount of sensitive data, making it an attractive target for threat actors like Play. The company's vulnerabilities may include inadequate cybersecurity measures, lack of employee training on cybersecurity best practices, and potential weaknesses in their website security that allowed the ransomware group to penetrate their systems.

Ransomware Group Tactics

Play, the ransomware group behind the attack on APB Services, is known for its sophisticated tactics, including exfiltration-based extortion. Instead of demanding a specific ransom amount, Play threatens victims with financial, business, and legal consequences if payment is not made. The group utilizes various tools for discovery, lateral movement, data collection, and exfiltration to maximize the impact of their attacks.

Sources:

Recent Ransomware Attacks

The Recent Ransomware Attacks (RRA) site acts as a watchtower, providing you with near real-time ransomware tracking of attacks, groups and their victims. Given threat actors’ overarching, lucrative success so far, ransomware attacks have become the most ubiquitous, and financially and informationally impactful cyber threat to businesses and organizations today.

The site’s data is generated based on hosting choices of real-world threat actors, and a handful of other trackers. While sanitization efforts have been taken, we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of the data. Attack updates will be made as source data is reported by reputable sources. By viewing, accessing, or using RRA you acknowledge you are doing so at your own risk.