Ransomware Attack on Deacon Jones Auto Group: Cybersecurity Concerns and Vulnerabilities
Incident Date:
April 21, 2024
Overview
Title
Ransomware Attack on Deacon Jones Auto Group: Cybersecurity Concerns and Vulnerabilities
Victim
Deacon Jones Auto Group
Attacker
Dragonforce
Location
First Reported
April 21, 2024
Ransomware Attack on Deacon Jones Auto Group by DragonForce
Attack Overview
The ransomware group DragonForce has recently added Deacon Jones Auto Group, a North Carolina-based automotive dealership, to its list of victims. According to the group, approximately 32.65GB of data was compromised during the attack. The recent event has sparked alarm regarding the efficacy of cybersecurity protocols at Deacon Jones Auto Group, given the susceptibility of mid-sized enterprises in the retail domain to advanced cyber assaults.
Company Profile
Deacon Jones Auto Group is a family-owned automotive dealership group located in Smithfield, North Carolina. The company is known for selling and servicing vehicles, with a focus on brands such as Ford, Buick, and Cadillac. Deacon Jones positions itself as a community-focused organization, emphasizing values like honesty and trust.The company's regional presence in areas like Goldsboro, Kinston, and Smithfield makes it a notable player in North Carolina's automotive retail industry.
Potential Vulnerabilities
The successful ransomware attack by DragonForce suggests possible vulnerabilities. These could include inadequate network segmentation, outdated security patches, or insufficient employee training on phishing and other common cyber threats. The size of the company and its regional focus might also imply limited cybersecurity budgets and expertise, further increasing its risk profile.
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.