BarNet Networks Hit by SafePay Ransomware as Cyber Gang Expands Australian Targets BarNet Networks, a communications and legal services provider for law professionals owned by Anticlockwise Pty Ltd has been listed on the dark web leak site of the ransomware group SafePay, which claims to have stolen data from the company’s systems. The incident was disclosed last week, though BarNet has not publicly confirmed details or responded to inquiries. SafePay, a ransomware operation first detected in October 2024, has rapidly expanded its targets across Australia, the U.S., the U.K., and eight other countries, including Italy, Canada, and Brazil. Unlike many ransomware groups, SafePay operates independently, denying involvement in ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) models. Its recent victims include BECKS Group Australia, a high-end jewellery manufacturer, which was listed alongside BarNet. BECKS confirmed the breach, stating it had notified authorities including the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) and acknowledged that some data was likely compromised. BarNet’s services, including its case tracking platform BarNet Jade (unrelated to the independent JADE legal database), are critical for legal professionals, offering access to case details and legislation. While the extent of the breach remains unclear, the listing suggests potential exposure of sensitive client or operational data. SafePay’s dual targeting of BarNet and BECKS underscores a growing trend of ransomware attacks on Australian businesses, with the group’s tactics still under scrutiny by cybersecurity researchers.