Imagine waking up, logging into your office system, and seeing everything locked. You click on files, but nothing opens. Then, you spot a text file on your desktop. It says your files are now encrypted. The only way out? Pay up, or everything you care about will be leaked online. This is not just a movie scene. It is exactly what happened during the SafePay ransomware attack.
This wasn’t a one-company problem. It hit over 260 victims across countries like the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. A rising cybercriminal group took center stage. Their methods were quiet, careful, and shockingly effective. Today, I will explain everything about how the SafePay ransomware attack unfolded, how it worked, who was behind it, and how you can stay safe.
What Happened in the SafePay Ransomware Attack?
The SafePay ransomware attack first came to light in late 2024. But it didn’t stop there. By the middle of 2025, the attackers had silently broken into hundreds of companies. One of the most talked-about victims was Ingram Micro, a global IT distributor. Their network was crippled, and about 3.5 TB of data was stolen.
Victims discovered that their files were encrypted and renamed with a strange file extension: .safepay. Alongside these encrypted files, a ransom note titled readme_safepay.txt appeared. The message demanded money in cryptocurrency and warned that if the ransom wasn’t paid, all the stolen data would be shared publicly on a leak site.
The SafePay ransomware attack followed a double-extortion model. That means the hackers first stole the data and then encrypted it. So even if you had backups, your data could still be leaked if you didn’t pay.
How Did It Happen? Step-by-Step Workflow
Let’s break this down simply. If we were talking quietly over coffee, here’s how I’d explain the workflow of the SafePay ransomware attack:
1. Entry through VPN Weakness
The attackers gained access through remote VPNs. In many cases, they used stolen credentials. Sometimes, companies had VPNs with no multi-factor authentication (MFA) in place. One example involved a misconfigured Fortinet firewall, where attackers bypassed MFA due to a flaw. This was the first and most critical mistake that opened the door.
2. Privilege Escalation
After getting in, the attackers didn’t stop. They escalated their access level. Using tools like PowerShell, PsExec, and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), they explored the network silently. They used token impersonation to get domain admin privileges. With full control, they could move freely inside the system.
3. Data Discovery and Theft
Next, they looked for valuable data. They ran scripts to locate shared folders, backups, sensitive documents, and emails. Once found, these were compressed using WinRAR or 7-Zip and sent out of the network using tools like Rclone and FileZilla. All of this happened before encryption began.
4. Encryption and Ransom Note
Finally, they launched the encryption payload. Every file was locked and renamed with the safepay extension. Then came the ransom note. It explained how to contact the group and how much money to pay. They made sure the victim knew the data was stolen and then threatened to release it unless the ransom was paid.So the SafePay ransomware attack was not a fast strike. It was slow, patient, and strategic. From getting in through VPNs to stealing data and then locking systems, every step was planned carefully.
Who Was Behind the SafePay Ransomware Attack?
Now let’s talk about the people behind the curtain. The SafePay ransomware attack wasn’t launched by amateurs. This group showed signs of being well-organized and technically skilled.
They are known as the SafePay group, a new but growing threat actor in the ransomware world. They are not like traditional ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) groups. Instead, they work more directly, possibly with a small set of trusted affiliates.
Security researchers have linked their ransomware code to LockBit 3.0. This means they may have built their attack tools using leaked source code from one of the most advanced ransomware families. Their malware avoids systems that use Cyrillic scripts, which may hint at their origin being somewhere in Eastern Europe. But so far, their exact location or leadership is unknown.
Their method is to cause panic fast. Once they are in, they steal data and encrypt it. Then they pressure the victims to pay by setting deadlines and threatening public leaks. This kind of cold, calculated planning shows how dangerous they are.
The SafePay ransomware attack was not a random event. It was the work of an advanced and determined group, with knowledge of both hacking and business operations.
Behind the Firewall: The Initial Entry Point
Understanding how the attackers entered is key to protecting against future breaches. In the case of the SafePay ransomware attack, the first step was exploiting remote access. Many companies had virtual private networks (VPNs) open to the internet but failed to enforce multi-factor authentication or strong password policies. This gave attackers an easy way in.
In one confirmed case, the cybercriminals took advantage of a Fortinet firewall that had been poorly configured. The security flaw allowed them to bypass authentication and access internal systems using stolen or leaked credentials. Once they were inside the network, they quickly began scanning for valuable assets like file servers and administrative tools.
What made this attack so effective was its simplicity. The hackers did not need advanced software exploits. Instead, they relied on small oversights that could have been prevented with better configuration and monitoring. This highlights how essential it is for companies to follow basic security practices, such as regularly patching systems, reviewing firewall settings, and enforcing strong authentication for remote access.
Even the most expensive cybersecurity tools cannot help if entry points are left open. The SafePay ransomware attack proves that prevention often starts with the fundamentals.
Decoding the Double Extortion Strategy
One of the most damaging elements of the SafePay ransomware attack was its use of a double extortion technique. This means the attackers did not just encrypt the victim’s files. Before doing that, they secretly stole large amounts of data. Later, they used this data as leverage to force payment by threatening to leak it online.
For businesses, this presents a major dilemma. Even if they have working backups and can restore their systems, the fear of sensitive customer information, internal emails, and legal contracts being exposed creates serious reputational and legal risks. It is not just about losing access to data. It is about losing trust.
In SafePay’s case, the attackers left ransom notes warning victims that their stolen information would be published on dark web forums if they refused to pay. This strategy increases the psychological pressure to comply, especially for companies that store financial records, intellectual property, or personal data of clients and employees.
This shift in ransomware tactics shows how much the threat has evolved. It is no longer just about locking data. It is about controlling the narrative and forcing victims into impossible choices. To counter this, companies must now think beyond backups. They need solid incident response plans, data classification strategies, and legal risk assessments before an attack ever occurs.
Financial Losses and Real-Life Impact
The cost of the SafePay ransomware attack goes beyond technical damage. It has humans.
When Ingram Micro was hit, their operations stopped. Their clients couldn’t place orders. Employees couldn’t access systems. In the modern business world, downtime means lost money. Experts say ransomware recovery costs can exceed $4.5 million per company.
But it doesn’t stop there. The hackers took 3.5 TB of data. That includes employee information, partner records, and maybe even customer details. If this gets leaked, people’s privacy is gone forever. Companies face lawsuits, fines, and broken trust.
Employees at affected companies were confused and scared. Some got messages from the attackers. IT teams were blamed for not securing the network. The SafePay ransomware attack showed how deeply these attacks can affect everyday workers.
Beyond the company, journalists and security experts raised their voices. They called for stronger cyber laws and better protection for companies that hold sensitive data. Politicians demanded answers about how global businesses protect their systems. This attack became a global wake-up call.
How to Protect Yourself from SafePay Ransomware
Now let’s get personal. How can you protect yourself or your company from something like the SafePay ransomware attack?
Here’s a list of practical actions anyone can take:
- Always use multi-factor authentication for VPNs and admin accounts.
- Regularly update firewalls and VPNs to patch known bugs.
- Use strong, unique passwords, especially for remote access.
- Limit admin rights only to those who need it.
- Segment your network, so if one area is attacked, others stay safe.
- Back up your data offline, and test those backups often.
- Monitor for unusual behavior, like disabled antivirus or large file movements.
- Train your team to spot phishing, since many attacks begin with one wrong click.
- Run regular security audits, especially on remote access tools.
- Have an incident response plan ready to act fast if things go wrong.
The SafePay ransomware attack teaches us that prevention is not enough. We must also prepare to respond.
Lessons from the SafePay Ransomware Attack
So what have we learned? A lot.
First, no company is too big or too smart to be attacked. Ingram Micro is a tech giant, yet they were caught off guard. If it can happen to them, it can happen to anyone.
Second, attackers are no longer just encrypting files. They are stealing data and using it as a weapon. Backups help, but only if your stolen data doesn’t end up online.
Third, basic cybersecurity hygiene still matters most. Misconfigured firewalls, weak passwords, and missing MFA may seem minor, but together they create major entry points for hackers.
Let’s wrap this up with a short summary of key lessons:
- Keep software and hardware up-to-date.
- Use strong authentication and access controls.
- Watch out for signs of intrusion early.
- Make regular backups and keep them offline.
- Practice your recovery plans before you need them.
Final suggestion
cybersecurity is not just a job for IT teams. It’s something every employee, business owner, and even regular internet user needs to care about.
And that’s where Hoplon Infosec can help. We provide full cybersecurity assessments, training programs, and incident response planning. If you want to make sure your business won’t be the next target in a SafePay ransomware attack, get in touch. We’re here to help you stay one step ahead.
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