By Ashwani Mishra, Editor-Technology, 63SATS
The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have issued a warning about Medusa ransomware, a dangerous malware strain that has been actively targeting organizations across multiple sectors since 2021.
This ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation has ramped up its activities in 2024, affecting hundreds of businesses and institutions worldwide.
Medusa operates through phishing campaigns and unpatched software vulnerabilities, making it a formidable adversary in the cybercrime landscape. With its double extortion tactics and aggressive online presence, the group has quickly become a significant threat to global cybersecurity.
How Medusa Ransomware Works
Medusa ransomware functions on a double extortion model, a technique increasingly favoured by cybercriminals. Once inside a system, Medusa actors encrypt files and steal sensitive data. Victims are then given a ransom demand: pay up, or risk having their data publicly leaked.
Adding to the pressure, Medusa runs a data-leak website where it lists victims and posts countdown timers for the release of stolen information. If a ransom is not paid, the stolen data is either made public or sold to the highest bidder. In a unique twist, victims can delay the release of their data by paying $10,000 per additional day—a coercion tactic designed to prolong negotiations and maximize extortion.
Industries and Organizations Under Attack
Medusa does not discriminate when selecting its targets. As of February 2025, over 300 organizations across diverse industries have fallen victim, including:
Healthcare – Hospitals and medical institutions holding vast amounts of sensitive patient data.
Education – Universities and research institutions targeted for intellectual property.
Legal and Insurance – Law firms and insurers handling confidential client records.
Technology and Manufacturing – Companies with proprietary data and supply chain networks.
Financial and Government Sectors – Entities storing critical infrastructure and citizen data.
Unlike some ransomware groups that focus on specific regions, Medusa operates globally, attacking organizations in the United States, Israel, England, Australia, UAE, India, Iran, Portugal, and other nations.
Medusa’s Expanding Online Presence
Unlike many cybercriminal groups that operate strictly in the dark web, Medusa maintains an aggressive online presence across social media platforms and messaging apps. The group frequently updates its “name and shame” blog, where it publicizes stolen data to pressure victims into paying.
Medusa also leverages platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram to spread its activities and expand its influence. This unusual approach has drawn scrutiny from cybersecurity experts, who believe it signals a shift in ransomware tactics—blurring the lines between underground cybercrime and mainstream digital extortion.
How Medusa Differs from MedusaLocker
The name “Medusa” can sometimes cause confusion, as multiple malware strains share similar branding. It’s crucial to distinguish Medusa ransomware from MedusaLocker, another ransomware strain that uses different techniques. Additionally, Medusa is unrelated to Medusa Android malware, which specifically targets mobile devices.
Medusa operates as a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) model, meaning its developers create and distribute ransomware tools, while affiliates carry out the attacks. In return, affiliates receive most ransom payments, while Medusa’s core operators take a smaller cut. This profit-sharing model allows cybercriminals with little technical expertise to launch sophisticated ransomware attacks.
Preventive Measures: How Organizations Can Defend Against Medusa
To combat the growing threat of Medusa, the FBI, CISA, and the Multi-State Information Sharing & Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) have outlined key defensive measures:
Strengthen Account Security
- Use long, unique passwords for all accounts.
- Implement multifactor authentication (MFA) for webmail, VPNs, and high-access systems.
Implement a Robust Backup Strategy
- Maintain multiple copies of critical data on external hard drives, cloud storage, and offline backups.
- Encrypt and regularly test backups to ensure they can be restored.
Keep Systems Updated
- Apply patches and updates for all operating systems, software, and firmware.
- Prioritize fixing internet-facing vulnerabilities to prevent unauthorized access.
Enhance Network Security
- Segment networks to limit ransomware movement within an organization.
- Use network monitoring tools to detect suspicious activity.
- Require VPNs or secure jump hosts for remote access.
- Filter network traffic to prevent unauthorized connections to critical systems.
What’s Next for Medusa?
Medusa has demonstrated adaptability and persistence, traits that define the most successful ransomware groups. Its highly organized RaaS model, aggressive extortion tactics, and global reach suggest that it will remain a dominant threat in the cybersecurity landscape.
The rise of ransomware-as-a-service has lowered the barrier to entry for cybercriminals, allowing even low-skilled hackers to launch devastating attacks.
With government agencies, law enforcement, and cybersecurity experts ramping up countermeasures, the battle against Medusa and similar ransomware groups is far from over. However, the key to defense lies in strong cybersecurity hygiene, regular system updates, and constant vigilance against phishing attacks.
