Transparent Tribe Shifts Cyber Espionage Focus to India’s Startup Ecosystem A Pakistan-linked hacking group, Transparent Tribe (APT36), has redirected its cyber espionage efforts from traditional government targets to India’s startup sector, particularly companies in cybersecurity and intelligence. Active since 2013, the group now deploys Crimson RAT, a remote access trojan, to infiltrate systems via malicious emails disguised as legitimate documents. Researchers at Acronis uncovered the campaign after detecting suspicious files uploaded from India, containing startup-themed lures. Unlike past operations targeting defense and educational institutions, this wave zeroes in on startups providing security services to law enforcement. Attackers leveraged personal details of a real founder to craft convincing fake documents, increasing the likelihood of successful phishing. The infection chain begins with an ISO container file (e.g., MeetBisht.iso) attached to an email. Inside, a shortcut file masquerades as an Excel document, alongside a hidden folder containing: - A decoy document to distract victims, - A batch script to execute the payload, - The Crimson RAT disguised as an Excel executable. Once opened, the shortcut triggers the batch script, which: - Displays a fake Excel file while silently installing the malware, - Uses PowerShell to disable security warnings, - Creates a hard-linked executable in the user’s app data folder to evade detection. The Crimson RAT payload employs advanced evasion tactics, including: - Artificial file bloat (34MB, with only 80–150KB of malicious code) to bypass signature-based detection, - Randomized function names to hinder analysis, - Custom TCP protocols on non-standard ports (e.g., 18661, 20856) for command-and-control (C2) communications. The malware enables attackers to monitor screens, record audio, steal files, and remotely control infected systems all without the victim’s knowledge. The shift in targeting underscores a growing threat to India’s emerging tech and security sectors, where sensitive data and intellectual property are prime targets.

JanaWare Ransomware Campaign Targets Turkish Users with Stealthy Adwind RAT Variant A newly uncovered ransomware campaign, dubbed JanaWare, is actively targeting users in Turkey using a customized version of the Adwind Remote Access Trojan (RAT). The operation employs geofencing, polymorphic malware, and layered obfuscation to evade detection while maintaining long-term persistence. First observed in 2020, with recent samples compiled as late as November 2025, JanaWare restricts infections to systems in Turkey by verifying language settings, locale configurations, and IP addresses. This localized approach has allowed the campaign to operate under the radar, avoiding broader security scrutiny. The attack begins with phishing emails that lure victims into clicking malicious links, often hosted on Google Drive. These links download a Java archive (JAR) file, which executes via javaw.exe to deploy the Adwind-based payload. The malware then disables security defenses including Microsoft Defender, Volume Shadow Copies, and third-party antivirus tools before downloading a Java-based ransomware module. JanaWare encrypts files using AES encryption and communicates with command-and-control (C2) servers over the Tor network. Ransom demands range between $200 and $400, targeting home users and small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with a high-volume, low-cost extortion strategy. Victims receive a Turkish-language ransom note directing them to contact attackers via qTox or Tor-based .onion sites. To evade detection, the malware employs polymorphic techniques, modifying its JAR file with random data to generate unique hashes per infection. It also uses obfuscation tools like Stringer and Allatori, along with custom class loaders, to hinder reverse engineering. Security researchers warn that JanaWare exemplifies a growing trend of regionally focused ransomware operations that exploit localized vulnerabilities while avoiding global attention. Indicators of compromise (IOCs) include the MD5 hashes 4f0444e11633a331eddb0deeec17fd69 (Adwind RAT) and b2d5bbf7746c2cb87d5505ced8d6c4c6 (ransomware module).

Acronis minimizes the impact of the most recent security breach by saying that only one customer's account was affected. Several certificate files, command logs, system configurations, system information logs, filesystem archives, and python scripts for the company's maria.db database, backup configuration information, screenshots of backup operations, and more are all included in the Acronis breach. Their preliminary research indicates that the login information used by one particular customer to provide diagnostic data to Acronis support has been compromised. The business also stated that it is unaware of any vulnerabilities impacting its systems and that neither its products nor the security breach harmed them.

JanaWare Ransomware Targets Turkey in Low-Cost, High-Volume Campaign Cybersecurity firm Acronis has uncovered a localized ransomware campaign, JanaWare, specifically targeting users in Turkey since 2020. The operation employs a geofenced malware strain that restricts execution to systems with Turkish language settings and IP addresses within the country, ensuring it evades broader detection. JanaWare follows a low-value, high-volume model, demanding ransoms of $200–$400 far below typical ransomware demands. The campaign primarily affects home users and small-to-medium businesses, with infections spread via phishing emails containing malicious Java archives. Attack chains often begin with Adwind malware, a heavily obfuscated strain designed to bypass security analysis. Victims receive Turkish-language ransom notes embedded in the malware, instructing them to contact attackers via qTox, a decentralized chat platform. Acronis cited a confirmed case where a user’s files were encrypted after opening a Google Drive-linked email in Microsoft Outlook. The malware verifies the victim’s location before proceeding, reinforcing its Turkey-exclusive targeting. The regional focus has likely helped JanaWare operate undetected for years, demonstrating how localized ransomware campaigns can persist quietly in the threat landscape. Acronis noted that the geographic restrictions also hinder international researchers from analyzing the malware, suggesting a deliberate, non-opportunistic strategy. The report emerges amid broader shifts in the ransomware ecosystem. The FBI identified 63 new ransomware variants in 2025, linked to over $32 million in losses, while TRM Labs found a 94% increase in new strains (93 in 2025 vs. 48 in 2024). Despite a drop in blockchain-linked ransomware payments from $1.9 billion in 2024 to $1.3 billion in 2025 activity is expanding beyond traditional safe havens like Russia. Law enforcement now sees opportunities to disrupt gangs due to weaker operational security and traceable laundering infrastructure, though the long-term impact remains uncertain.