The notorious Akira ransomware group has added another victim to its growing list of targeted organizations, striking at Western Dovetail, a prominent woodworking company founded in 1993 by Maxfield Hunter, its president, and CEO, along with support from his father, George Hunter, and brother, Josh Hunter.
The family-owned business, known for its dedication to woodworking craftsmanship, has become the latest casualty of cybercrime.
The Akira ransomware group took to online forums to announce their latest Western Dovetail data breach, proclaiming the availability of “a few GB of their data” for public access.
The compromised data reportedly includes sensitive employee information such as addresses, emails, phone numbers, and even details of relatives, along with tax and payment information, and a snippet of medical records.
Western Dovetail Cyberattack: Verification Efforts and Official Response
Despite this disclosure, Akira has remained tight-lipped about their motives behind targeting Western Dovetail.
Upon investigating Western Dovetail’s official website, no signs of foul play were immediately evident, as the website appeared to be fully functional.
To corroborate further, The Cyber Express Team reached out to Western Dovetail officials for comment. However, at the time of compiling this report, no official response had been received, leaving the claim of the Western Dovetail data breach unverified.
Akira Ransomware Trail of Cyber Destruction
The latest cyberattack on Western Dovetail adds to a growing list of cyber onslaughts orchestrated by the Akira ransomware group. In April 2024, the group was identified as the mastermind behind a series of devastating cyberattacks targeting businesses and critical infrastructure entities across North America, Europe, and Australia.
According to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Akira has breached over 250 organizations since March 2023, raking in a staggering $42 million in ransom payments.
Initially focusing on Windows systems, Akira has expanded its tactics to include Linux variants, raising alarm bells among global cybersecurity agencies.
Before targeting Western Dovetail, the ransomware group had set its sights on prominent entities such as DENHAM the Jeanmaker, a renowned denim brand based in Amsterdam, and TeraGo, a Canada-based provider of secure cloud services and business-grade internet solutions.
Conclusion and Awaited Response
In the wake of the Western Dovetail cyberattack, the cybersecurity landscape remains fraught with uncertainty. While the company’s official response is eagerly awaited, the incident serves as a reminder of the ever-present threat posed by cybercriminals.
As organizations strive to protect themselves against such cyberattacks, collaboration between cybersecurity experts, law enforcement agencies, and affected entities becomes increasingly crucial in combating the pervasive menace of ransomware.
Media Disclaimer: This report is based on internal and external research obtained through various means. The information provided is for reference purposes only, and users bear full responsibility for their reliance on it. The Cyber Express assumes no liability for the accuracy or consequences of using this information.
