The U.S. State Department has announced a hefty $10 million bounty for information leading to the arrest of the “Blackcat” ransomware gang.
“The ALPHV Blackcat ransomware-as-a-service group compromised computer networks of critical infrastructure sectors in the United States and worldwide,” the department said in a statement announcing the reward offer.
While UnitedHealth reportedly paid a $22 million ransom to Blackcat in a bid to restore its systems, the effectiveness of this tactic remains unclear. The State Department’s move signals a more aggressive approach to combatting such attacks.
Bijay Pokharel
Bijay Pokharel is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Abijita, an independent technology and cybersecurity news publication established in 2017. A specialist in cybersecurity journalism, Bijay covers vulnerability research, malware analysis, enterprise data breaches, digital privacy, and emerging technologies. His work translates complex technical threats into precise, accessible, and actionable intelligence for security professionals and general readers alike. His reporting and investigative coverage are routinely cited and republished across leading technology and security media.



