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The resurgence of the notorious ransomware, now rebranded as HelloGookie, marks a concerning development in the cybersecurity landscape. Originally known as HelloKitty, this malicious software gained infamy for its targeting of large organizations and corporations, with CD Projekt Red among its high-profile victims.
HelloKitty, developed and maintained by a hacker known as Guki, made headlines in February 2021 when it breached CD Projekt Red, the renowned Polish game studio behind the acclaimed Witcher series and Cyberpunk 2077. The breach resulted in the theft of approximately 450GB of uncompressed source code, including files for an unreleased version of The Witcher 3 game rumored to feature advanced ray tracing technology.
Now, under the moniker HelloGookie, the ransomware has reemerged with a new data leak website, likely operated by Guki or an associate known as Gookee/kapuchin0. To mark its resurgence, the operator has released data stolen from CD Projekt Red and Cisco, along with private decryption keys that can unlock files encrypted by HelloKitty.
While there are currently no new leaks on the HelloGookie website and no signs of ongoing attacks, the return of this ransomware variant raises concerns about the potential for future cyber threats. HelloKitty was a significant player in the ransomware landscape, and whether HelloGookie can replicate its predecessor’s success remains uncertain.
The reemergence of HelloGookie serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by cybercriminals and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for organizations of all sizes. As cyber threats continue to evolve, vigilance and proactive defense strategies are essential to safeguarding against potential breaches and data compromises.