Kriuchkov claimed the malware had cost $250,000 to develop and it would exfiltrate data from Tesla’s network and upload it to a remote server.
The plan was to steal highly sensitive Tesla files and hold them for millions of dollars in ransom, with the threat to make the data public.
Kriuchkov’s plot included having members of his cyber-gang launch DDoS attacks to keep the company’s security team distracted and mask the employee’s role in the attack.
FBI agents arrested Kriuchkov, as he tried to leave the United States via Los Angeles last week. He faces up to five years in prison for his role in the scheme if found guilty. The employee remains anonymous for his protection.
And as of Aug. 31, 2020, Tesla has avoided a major ransomware attack.
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