Alphv Ransomware Attack on Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates

The ransomware group Alphv, also known as Blackcat, has claimed responsibility for an attack on Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, a law firm based in Illinois. The firm, which specializes in personal injury cases, has been recognized as one of the premier personal injury law firms in the state and has achieved significant victories in catastrophic injury cases.

The attack on Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates is part of a larger campaign by Alphv, which has targeted over 1,000 entities, including Fidelity National Financial, Henry Schein, and Seiko. The group has been particularly active in the healthcare sector, causing significant disruptions to pharmacies and hospitals.

Alphv is known for its advanced social engineering techniques and the use of uniform resource locators (URLs) to live-chat with victims, conveying demands and initiating negotiations. The group often exfiltrates data and extorts victims without deploying ransomware, sometimes deleting data in the process.

The attack on Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates highlights the vulnerability of law firms and other professional services to ransomware attacks. As the legal sector increasingly relies on digital tools and data-driven strategies, firms must prioritize cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive client information and maintain business continuity.

Sources

• Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates
• KrebsOnSecurity: BlackCat Ransomware Group Implodes After Apparent $22M Payment by Change Healthcare
• The Record: FBI posts takedown notice on AlphV ransomware group's website
• Wired: Hackers Behind the Change Healthcare Ransomware Attack Just Received a $22 Million Payment