On 3rd November, Bleeping Computer reported that the BlackMatter Ransomware-as-a-Service group had posted a message alerting users that its operations were ceasing within 48 hours. The message advised affiliates to obtain their decryption keys so that they could continue to extort current victims.

It used to be that technological innovations such as the internet made the world smaller and bought us all closer together. Sadly, that augmented ability to reach others brought with it a new avenue for unwanted and unpleasant interactions. In 2021, a study by Sapio Research on behalf of Respect in Security, showed around one third of cybersecurity professionals claimed to have personal experience of harassment, either online or in the workplace.

It has been reported that the hack that took down the largest fuel pipeline in the United States and led to fuel shortages across the whole of the East Coast was the result of a single compromised password that was leaked on the Dark Web through a data breach. On April 29th 2021, hackers gained access to the network of Colonial Pipeline Co. via a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection that allowed the hacker remote access to the corporate network.