Surge in Play Ransomware Attacks: How Organizations Can Protect Themselves

The cybersecurity landscape has recently been shaken by a surge in Play ransomware attacks, targeting hundreds of organizations across North America, South America, and Europe. In response to these growing threats, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in partnership with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), has issued a joint advisory to raise awareness and help organizations defend against these attacks. This article explores the details of the Play ransomware, its evolving tactics, and how businesses can protect themselves from falling victim.

The Rise of Play Ransomware Attacks: A Global Concern

In May 2025, the FBI reported a sharp increase in the number of confirmed Play ransomware attacks, with over 900 organizations, including critical infrastructure providers, falling victim to these attacks. The affected entities span across North and South America, as well as Europe. Play ransomware has become a significant cybersecurity threat, and the updated advisory, part of the ongoing Stop Ransomware campaign, sheds light on the evolving tactics of the cybercriminal group behind it.

Play ransomware is notorious for its sophisticated and ever-changing attack strategies. Recent investigations by the FBI and CISA reveal that the cybercriminal group has adjusted its tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), making it more difficult for organizations to detect and defend against. This update provides critical insights into how organizations can bolster their defenses.

What Undercode Says: Analysis of the Play Ransomware Threat

Play ransomware has been tied to the North Korean state-sponsored hacking group Andariel, which operates under the broader umbrella of the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB) of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Andariel has long been known for conducting cyber-espionage and cyber-warfare operations, often targeting high-value organizations and critical infrastructure. The FBI’s advisory suggests that Play ransomware is an essential part of Andariel’s cyberattack toolkit.

The Play ransomware group operates in a secretive manner, deliberately distancing itself from other threat actors. This ransomware group prefers to remain closed, ensuring that its operations are not easily linked to other criminal groups. Notably, Play ransomware leaves victims with a ransom note that does not include any initial demands or payment instructions. Instead, victims are instructed to contact the hackers via email—often using unique German domains—which adds another layer of obfuscation to their activities.

The attacks typically begin with a malware backdoor, used to exploit vulnerabilities in the victim’s systems, including known flaws like the Windows Common Log File System zero-day vulnerability. Once the backdoor is established, attackers can deploy the ransomware, exfiltrate sensitive data, and hold it for ransom.

Victims are often threatened with the public release of their stolen data, which is a critical tactic used by the attackers to force compliance. Some organizations have reported receiving phone calls from the hackers, further heightening the pressure to pay the ransom.

Fact Checker Results

✅ Confirmed Global Impact: The

✅ Ransomware Tactics: The

❌ Target Specificity: While the report links Play ransomware to Andariel, there is no conclusive evidence yet that all Play ransomware campaigns are directly orchestrated by North Korean state actors.

Prediction: The Future of Play Ransomware

Looking ahead, it’s clear that Play ransomware is evolving to become an even more dangerous and persistent threat. As the cybercriminal group refines its tactics, we can expect to see more sophisticated malware deployments and targeted attacks on high-value organizations, including those in critical infrastructure sectors. Given the group’s link to Andariel and its use of state-sponsored resources, there may be further geopolitical implications, particularly in the context of cyber warfare.

Organizations need to adopt a proactive cybersecurity strategy to defend against these growing threats. This includes regular system updates, network monitoring for unusual activity, and strong encryption practices. With the continued evolution of ransomware tactics, businesses must stay informed and ready to implement new defensive measures to mitigate the risks posed by Play and similar ransomware groups.

References:

Reported By: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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