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DOJ: ATF hit by ransomware attack

Heartlandernews • August 27, 2026

(Daily Caller News Foundation) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed Wednesday the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has been hit with a ransomware attack.

A spokesperson for the DOJ confirmed the attack when reached by the Daily Caller News Foundation for a social media post from Gun Owners of America the situation.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

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This article is one source in a clustered incident — the cluster page carries the summary, timeline and every other outlet covering it.

Qilin Ransomware Gang Claims Attack on ATF, Major Incident Declared The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is investigating a major cybersecurity incident after the Qilin ransomware gang claimed responsibility for breaching one of its standalone systems. The ATF confirmed that the affected system operates separately from its main network and has not impacted its broader operations or eForms system. Although Qilin listed the ATF as a victim on its dark web leak site, the agency has not confirmed whether data was stolen or if a ransom was demanded. The incident has been designated a 'major incident' by the Department of Justice, which triggers formal reporting requirements. ATF has initiated forensic investigations and disconnected the affected system to prevent further access. This incident follows a series of cyberattacks on federal agencies in 2026, raising concerns about the security of sensitive government data. 26 sources 61

DOJ: ATF hit by ransomware attack

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Extracted Entities

Attack Types (1)

Companies (2)