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Cyber Threat
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Ransomware victim Energy

q-cells.de

Listed by Abyss on · organisation based in Germany

q-cells.de

Disclosed
Aug 2, 2024
Leak-site listing date
Threat group
Abyss
62 victims listed
Country
Germany
#2 most targeted
Sector
Energy

ThreatAI analysis

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

About the Abyss group

Abyss (also known as Abyss Locker) is a ransomware operation first identified in March 2023, derived from the Babuk source code, that targets Windows and Linux/VMware ESXi systems using double-extortion tactics across healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and technology sectors — predominantly in North America. Abyss has listed 91 victims since March 2023.

Incident analysis

q-cells.de was listed by Abyss ransomware, a group with 62 victims recorded in this database. The listing appeared on the group's leak site on August 2, 2024.

q-cells.de is based in Germany and operates in the Energy sector. Germany ranks #2 worldwide for ransomware disclosures, with 1,004 victims in this database.

Sector context. Energy sector attacks can have critical infrastructure implications. Ransomware on operational technology (OT) networks can disrupt power generation and distribution, elevating the urgency of recovery.

Abyss typically follows a double extortion model: data is exfiltrated from the victim's systems before files are encrypted, so the victim faces two demands at once — pay to restore access, and pay to keep stolen data unpublished. The leak site, where this listing appeared, is the lever for the second demand.

Source. Public leak-site disclosures aggregated via the ransomware.live API. The disclosure date is when the listing was published, which can differ from the date of compromise. This site does not publish or link to stolen data. Last updated .

Frequently asked questions

Was q-cells.de attacked by ransomware?

Yes. q-cells.de was listed as a victim of the Abyss ransomware group on August 2, 2024. The organisation is based in Germany and operates in the Energy sector. The disclosure appeared on the group's dark web leak site.

Which ransomware group attacked q-cells.de?

q-cells.de was attacked by Abyss ransomware. Abyss is one of the most active ransomware groups, having claimed 62 victims globally. The group typically employs a double-extortion model: encrypting the victim's files and threatening to publish stolen data.

When did the q-cells.de ransomware attack occur?

The ransomware attack on q-cells.de was disclosed on August 2, 2024. 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 q-cells.de ransomware attack?

The specific data stolen from q-cells.de 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 Energy organisation, q-cells.de likely held sensitive business data, client information, and operational records.

How can organisations protect against Abyss attacks?

To defend against Abyss 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.