MGM, Caesars casino hacks point to an alliance of teens and ransomware gangs

MGM, Caesars casino hacks point to an alliance of teens and ransomware gangs
Cybersecurity experts say the combo unites English speakers with Russian hackers responsible for the Colonial Pipeline hack

By Joseph Menn
Updated September 22, 2023 at 2:27 p.m. EDT|Published September 22, 2023 at 1:55 p.m. EDT

A sign warns guests of difficulties with gambling machines following a hack targeting MGM Resorts International, at Luxor hotel-casino on Sept. 13 in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter/Las Vegas Review-Journal/AP)
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Recent hacks of Caesars Entertainment and casinos owned by MGM were probably carried out by teens and young adults who have allied themselves with one of the world’s most notorious ransomware gangs, part of a trend that has alarmed security experts and defenders of corporate computer networks.

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Known by a variety of names to security firms, including Scattered Spider, the group is tied to a Telegram account that boasted last week of the MGM hack, which as of Thursday was still keeping many services offline.


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