Cicada3301 ransomware group
Cicada3301 is one of the extortion operations we watch continuously. This page covers what is known about the group and the current state of its leak site, which we last saw change 10mo ago.
Who they are
Cicada3301 is a sophisticated Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) group that emerged in June 2024. It’s written in Rust and supports cross-platform operations, targeting Windows, Linux, VMware ESXi, NAS, and even PowerPC systems. Technically, its ransomware shares many traits with BlackCat/ALPHV, such as use of ChaCha20 encryption, Rust-based structure, similar configuration interfaces, and methods for shutting down virtual machines and deleting snapshots. Cicada3301 also implements double-extortion tactics—encrypting or exfiltrating data and publishing it on Tor-based leak sites. The group appears to have established an affiliate program, demonstrated through their deployment interfaces and recruitment tactics via forums like RAMP. Operations are believed to be highly professional, possibly involving former ALPHV developers or affiliates.
Current status
Cicada3301's leak site is not answering. Sites go dark for infrastructure trouble, a deliberate quiet period, or a takedown, and a good number return weeks later under the same name, so the entry stays on the list either way.
The last change we recorded on it was 10mo ago (12 Nov 2025 11:15 UTC).
Which organisations this group has named, and when, is part of the SINON platform rather than this page. Create an account to search it, or to be told automatically if a name you care about turns up.
Sectors targeted
This group does not state an industry on its site, so we have nothing reliable to report. Most crews are opportunistic rather than sector-specific in any case — they hit what they can reach.
Watching for your name
If Cicada3301 posts your company, a supplier or a subsidiary, you want to hear it from us rather than from a journalist. SINON checks these sites continuously and alerts on the names you give it.
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