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Ransomware Victim Technology

icot.es

Ransomware attack by Braincipher · Disclosed August 31, 2026 · 🇪🇸 Spain

icot.es

Date Disclosed
Aug 31, 2026
2026
Threat Group
Braincipher
77 total victims
Country
🇪🇸 Spain
Industry
Technology

ThreatAI Analysis

Compiled from this incident record and the threat intelligence profile for Braincipher. Figures and technique mappings are quoted from the source data, not inferred.

Braincipher, a ransomware affiliate listed icot.es on its dark web leak site on 31 August 2026, revealing that the target is based in Spain and operates in the Technology sector.

About the Braincipher group

Brain Cipher emerged in July 2024. Both Windows and Linux variants are available. Brain Cipher using the leaked build of LockBit Black for their operations. The group suspected to have exploited CVE-2023-28252 (Microsoft Windows CLFS Driver Privilege Escalation Vulnerability). The Ransom demand ranges from $150,000 to $1,00,0000. Demand to be paid with Monero (XMR) cryptocurrency. In 2025, they have shifted their new Negotiation portal to new server with vanity TOR Domain starting with 'brain'. Braincipher has listed 69 victims since July 2024.

How Braincipher is documented to operate

User Execution T1204 Execution

An adversary may rely upon specific actions by a user in order to gain execution. Users may be subjected to social engineering to get them to execute malicious code by, for example, opening a malicious document file or link. These user actions will typically be observed as follow-on behavior from forms of Phishing. While User Execution frequently occurs shortly after Initial Access it may occur at other phases of an intrusion, such as when an adversary places a file in a shared directory or on a user's desktop hoping that a user will click on it. This activity may also be seen shortly after Internal Spearphishing.

Mitigations: Network Intrusion Prevention, Restrict Web-Based Content, Limit Software Installation, User Training, Execution Prevention, Behavior Prevention on Endpoint

MITRE ATT&CK reference →
File and Directory Discovery T1083 Discovery

Adversaries may enumerate files and directories or may search in specific locations of a host or network share for certain information within a file system. Adversaries may use the information from File and Directory Discovery during automated discovery to shape follow-on behaviors, including whether or not the adversary fully infects the target and/or attempts specific actions. Many command shell utilities can be used to obtain this information. Examples include <codedir</code, <codetree</code, <codels</code, <codefind</code, and <codelocate</code. Custom tools may also be used to gather file and directory information and interact with the Native API.

MITRE ATT&CK reference →
Data Encrypted for Impact T1486 Impact

Adversaries may encrypt data on target systems or on large numbers of systems in a network to interrupt availability to system and network resources. They can attempt to render stored data inaccessible by encrypting files or data on local and remote drives and withholding access to a decryption key. This may be done in order to extract monetary compensation from a victim in exchange for decryption or a decryption key (ransomware) or to render data permanently inaccessible in cases where the key is not saved or transmitted.

Mitigations: Data Backup, Behavior Prevention on Endpoint

MITRE ATT&CK reference →

MITRE ATT&CK techniques attributed to Braincipher across its recorded activity, not a finding about how icot.es was reached.

Incident Analysis

icot.es was targeted by Braincipher ransomware, one of the most active ransomware groups in our database with 77 confirmed victims globally. The attack was disclosed on August 31, 2026, when icot.es appeared on the group's dark web leak site.

icot.es is based in Spain , operating in the Technology sector. Spain ranks #9 globally for ransomware attacks, with 425 victims in our database.

Sector context: Technology companies hold intellectual property, customer data, and source code — all highly valuable assets. A successful ransomware attack can also put downstream customers at risk through supply chain exposure.

Braincipher typically employs a double extortion model: first exfiltrating sensitive data from the victim's systems, then deploying ransomware to encrypt files. Victims face two simultaneous threats — paying to restore access and paying to prevent publication of stolen data. The group's leak site publishes victim names and exfiltrated data as leverage.

Data source: This incident record is sourced from public ransomware group leak site disclosures aggregated via the ransomware.live API. Disclosure date reflects when the victim was published on the leak site, which may differ from the initial date of compromise. This platform does not publish or link to stolen data. Last data update: Sep 6, 2026 14:00 UTC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was icot.es attacked by ransomware?

Yes. icot.es was listed as a victim of the Braincipher ransomware group on August 31, 2026. The organisation is based in Spain and operates in the Technology sector. The disclosure appeared on the group's dark web leak site.

Which ransomware group attacked icot.es?

icot.es was attacked by Braincipher ransomware. Braincipher is one of the most active ransomware groups, having claimed 77 victims globally. The group typically employs a double-extortion model: encrypting the victim's files and threatening to publish stolen data.

When did the icot.es ransomware attack occur?

The ransomware attack on icot.es was disclosed on August 31, 2026. This date reflects when the victim was published on the threat group's leak site, which may differ from the actual date of initial compromise.

What data was stolen in the icot.es ransomware attack?

The specific data stolen from icot.es has not been independently verified by this platform. Ransomware groups typically exfiltrate data before encrypting systems and use the threat of publication to pressure victims. As a Technology organisation, icot.es likely held source code, intellectual property, and customer data.

How can organisations protect against Braincipher attacks?

To defend against Braincipher and similar threat actors, organisations should: maintain regular offline backups tested for restoration; implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement; deploy multi-factor authentication on all remote access; use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools; conduct regular phishing and security awareness training; and monitor threat intelligence feeds for indicators of compromise (IOCs) associated with active groups.