Garmin Listed by wastedlocker Ransomware Group: Ransomware Claim — What’s Alleged & What To Do

In July 2020, Garmin was listed on a ransomware operator’s leak site, an event that reflected the expanding practice among threat actors of combining encryption with the threat of data publication. The incident occurred at a time when ransomware campaigns increasingly targeted technology firms that maintain large volumes of operational and customer information. The listing drew attention because Garmin produces widely used navigation, fitness and aviation devices, placing it among organizations whose systems contain both internal records and user-linked data.

What happened

On 23 July 2020, Garmin was added to the leak site maintained by the wastedlocker ransomware group. The group claims to have stolen internal data, and reports indicate that internal files were exfiltrated during a ransomware attack. No confirmed figure for the number of individuals affected has been made public, and additional technical details such as the precise method of initial access remain undisclosed.

The group behind it: wastedlocker

Wastedlocker is a ransomware operation that emerged in 2020 and is known for targeting mid-sized and large enterprises rather than individual consumers. Public reporting has associated the group with the use of custom ransomware payloads and with a pattern of exfiltrating data before encryption, followed by listings on dedicated leak sites when ransom demands are not met. Earlier activity attributed to the same operators involved similar claims against other corporate victims, though each listing represents an assertion by the group rather than an independently verified event.

Garmin and its sector

Garmin develops and sells GPS-enabled hardware and associated software for consumer, fitness, marine and aviation markets. Companies in this sector routinely maintain customer account information, device telemetry, location histories and internal business records required for product support and manufacturing. A successful intrusion at such a firm can therefore expose both operational systems and data that users have entrusted to the service.

What data was at risk

The available information states only that internal files were exfiltrated. The exact categories of data contained in those files have not been disclosed. Organizations of this type commonly store user account details, device identifiers, location records and support correspondence, yet it is not confirmed whether any of these specific data types were among the material taken in this case.

Why it matters

When internal files are removed during a ransomware incident, the primary concern is the potential for subsequent misuse of whatever information those files contained. For individuals, this could involve exposure of account credentials or device-linked identifiers that might be used in further targeted activity. For the organization, the event adds operational disruption and the need to review access controls and data-handling practices, regardless of whether the group’s claims are later substantiated.

What to do if you're exposed

Individuals can begin by changing passwords for any Garmin-linked accounts and enabling multi-factor authentication where available. Monitoring financial and email accounts for unusual activity provides an early indication of misuse. Readers may also run a free exposure scan of their email address against known breach data sets to determine whether their information appears in publicly referenced incidents.

AICompiled with AI assistance from public sources and published under our editorial standards.