Clop ransomware is a criminal operation, tracked as TA505, that steals sensitive files and threatens to leak them for payment. This FAQ explains what breach notices mean, what rights you have, and what steps protect your identity.
According to CISA and FBI in the joint advisory AA23-158A, Clop exploited a MOVEit Transfer flaw starting May 27, 2023. The gang installed LEMURLOOT webshells to steal underlying databases. People affected were often customers, employees, patients, or students who later got letters.
Table of Contents
- How did Clop get my information?
- What must breached companies do?
- What can you do after a letter?
- Should anyone pay Clop?
- How do you reduce your risk?
How did Clop get my information?
Many employers, schools, hospitals, and vendors used MOVEit Transfer to share large files. Clop sent SQL-injection requests to internet-facing MOVEit apps. Those requests bypassed normal login and let attackers copy the stored database.
You did not need a MOVEit account to be affected. Your name, Social Security number, or account data was in a file your organization stored or sent. When Clop stole that file, your details went with it.
What must breached companies do?
Most state laws require breached companies to notify affected residents without unreasonable delay. Many states also require notice to the attorney general above a set headcount. Some states require free credit monitoring when Social Security numbers were exposed.
According to the FTC in its Safeguards Rule update, covered financial institutions must notify the FTC within 30 days after finding unauthorized acquisition of unencrypted data of 500 or more consumers. That notice is separate from letters to consumers. A bank, lender, or insurer that lost MOVEit files therefore faces both duties.
What can you do after a letter?
According to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov, identity-theft victims can file a free report and get a personal recovery plan. You can place a free credit freeze at each bureau and get free weekly credit reports via AnnualCreditReport.com. An initial fraud alert lasts one year, while an extended alert lasts seven years.
A freeze blocks most new-account credit pulls. Monitoring only warns after misuse, so do not rely on free monitoring alone. Watch for phishing that uses your leaked name, employer, or account details.
Should anyone pay Clop?
According to the FBI in its ransomware guidance, victims should not pay because payment does not guarantee recovery or deletion. Payment emboldens attackers and funds further crime. With double extortion, Clop can still leak stolen files after payment.
Victims should promptly report to a local FBI field office, FBI IC3 at ic3.gov, or CISA at cisa.gov/report. Report whether or not ransom was paid. Reports help investigators track Clop and warn others.
How do you reduce your risk?
For businesses, CISA recommends phishing-resistant multifactor authentication, prompt patching with vulnerability scans, and offline tested backups with recovery plans. Network monitoring also helps catch theft early.
These steps do not recover stolen files, but they limit the next attack. For individuals, act in this order. These four moves block new accounts and catch misuse early.
- Freeze credit at each bureau and store the PINs offline.
- Request free weekly reports and review new inquiries.
- Place an initial fraud alert, extended to seven years if theft is confirmed.
- Report misuse through IdentityTheft.gov and ignore links in unexpected messages.
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