Ethical Hacking News
Checkout.com's unconventional approach to dealing with its recent cyber attack serves as a powerful example of corporate responsibility and a commitment to investing in cybersecurity measures. By strengthening its security protocols and engaging in research initiatives focused on combating cybercrime, the company aims to protect its customers and contribute to a safer online environment.
Checkout.com was breached by ShinyHunters threat group, exposing sensitive merchant data from 2020. The breach resulted from exploiting a third-party legacy system not properly decommissioned. ShinyHunters demanded a ransom in exchange for not publishing the stolen information. Checkout.com decided not to pay the ransom and instead donated it to fund cybercrime-related research projects. The company's approach marks a significant shift in ransomware tactics, highlighting the evolving nature of cyber threats. The impact on Checkout.com is estimated to be limited, affecting less than 25% of its merchant base. ShinyHunters' recent activities have been linked to several high-profile attacks, showcasing a growing trend in cybercrime targeting large organizations.
Checkout.com, a leading global payment processing firm, recently found itself at the center of a high-profile cyber attack. The company reported that it had been breached by the ShinyHunters threat group, which gained unauthorized access to one of its legacy cloud storage systems. This breach resulted in the exposure of sensitive merchant data, including internal operational documents and onboarding materials, dating back to 2020.
The breach was carried out by exploiting a third-party legacy system that had not been properly decommissioned. ShinyHunters, an international cybercrime group known for exfiltrating data from large organizations via phishing, OAuth attacks, or social engineering, made contact with Checkout.com, claiming to have obtained sensitive data connected to the company. The attackers demanded a ransom in exchange for not publishing the stolen information.
However, in a surprising turn of events, Checkout.com decided not to pay the ransom and instead committed to strengthening its security measures to better protect its customers. In a statement released by the company, it announced that it would donate the amount of the ransom to Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Oxford Cyber Security Center to fund cybercrime-related research projects.
This decision marks a significant shift in ransomware tactics among cyber attackers. Typically, companies facing such attacks opt for paying the ransom to avoid the negative publicity and potential reputational damage associated with publishing sensitive information online. Checkout.com's unconventional approach highlights the evolving nature of cyber threats and the need for businesses to adopt proactive security strategies.
The impact of this breach on Checkout.com is estimated to be limited, affecting less than 25% of its current merchant base. However, the exposure extends to past customers as well, raising concerns about the potential long-term consequences for the company's reputation and customer trust.
ShinyHunters' recent activities have been linked to several high-profile attacks, including exploitation of the Oracle E-Business Suite zero-day (CVE-2025-61884) and Salesforce/Drift attacks that impacted numerous organizations earlier this year. The threat group's tactics demonstrate a growing trend in cybercrime, with attackers increasingly targeting large organizations and exploiting vulnerabilities in legacy systems.
Checkout.com's decision to donate the ransom amount rather than pay it serves as a powerful example of corporate responsibility and a commitment to investing in cybersecurity measures. By strengthening its security protocols and engaging in research initiatives focused on combating cybercrime, Checkout.com aims to protect its customers and contribute to a safer online environment.
This incident underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for organizations, particularly those handling sensitive data. Companies must prioritize proactive security strategies, invest in employee training, and maintain regular backups to minimize the risk of data breaches.
The consequences of data breaches can be severe, resulting in financial losses, reputational damage, and compromised customer trust. In this case, Checkout.com's swift response and commitment to cybersecurity demonstrate a willingness to adapt and evolve in the face of emerging threats. As the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for businesses to prioritize security and invest in research initiatives focused on combating these threats.
In conclusion, Checkout.com's unconventional approach to dealing with its recent cyber attack serves as a powerful example of corporate responsibility and a commitment to investing in cybersecurity measures. By strengthening its security protocols and engaging in research initiatives focused on combating cybercrime, the company aims to protect its customers and contribute to a safer online environment. As businesses navigate the evolving world of cyber threats, it is essential to prioritize proactive security strategies and invest in employee training and regular backups to minimize the risk of data breaches.
The incident highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for organizations, particularly those handling sensitive data. Companies must prioritize proactive security strategies, invest in employee training, and maintain regular backups to minimize the risk of data breaches.
Summary:
Checkout.com, a leading global payment processing firm, recently faced a cyber attack by ShinyHunters, which breached one of its legacy cloud storage systems. The company decided not to pay the ransom demanded by the attackers and instead committed to strengthening its security measures and donating the amount to fund cybercrime-related research projects. This decision marks a significant shift in ransomware tactics among cyber attackers, highlighting the evolving nature of cyber threats and the need for businesses to adopt proactive security strategies.
Checkout.com's unconventional approach to dealing with its recent cyber attack serves as a powerful example of corporate responsibility and a commitment to investing in cybersecurity measures. By strengthening its security protocols and engaging in research initiatives focused on combating cybercrime, the company aims to protect its customers and contribute to a safer online environment.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Checkoutcoms-Unconventional-Response-to-Cyber-Attack-A-Shift-in-Ransomware-Tactics-ehn.shtml
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/checkoutcom-snubs-shinyhunters-hackers-to-donate-ransom-instead/
Published: Fri Nov 14 10:35:50 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
