Namibian Defence Force listed in unverified ransomware claim - Informanté

THE Namibian Defence Force (NDF) has allegedly been listed by ransomware group RansomHouse on its dark web leak site, but cybersecurity researchers have warned that the claim remains unverified, with no publicly released evidence confirming that the defence force was breached or that data was stolen.

According to a report by Yazoul Security, the listing was observed on or around 12 September 2026 and purportedly identified the Namibian Defence Force through the domain mod.gov.na as a victim.

The security intelligence said its reporting is based on publicly available information and that claims published by ransomware groups should be treated as allegations unless independently confirmed.

However, Yazoul Security said it has not independently verified the authenticity of the claim. No proof-of-compromise samples, file listings or negotiation details have been publicly disclosed by the threat actor.

The group has also not indicated how much data it allegedly obtained. The material accompanying the listing reportedly consists mainly of general information the Namibian Defence Force rather than specific documents or evidence from its systems.

The absence of samples or other proof makes it difficult to independently assess the credibility of the claim. The NDF has not publicly confirmed or denied the alleged incident.

A separate exposure report by ParanoidLab, published through Ransomware.live, reportedly identified six passwords and 51 cookies associated with the exposure. The report does not establish that these credentials or browser data originated from a compromise of the Namibian Defence Force.

Yazoul Security described RansomHouse as having a limited publicly documented track record compared with more established ransomware groups. It said there is currently insufficient publicly available information the group’s tools, methods of gaining access or other technical activities to assess the specific claim based on historical evidence.

If the allegation were to be confirmed, a compromise of a national defence organisation could potentially expose sensitive information, including internal communications, operational documents or personnel information. However, cybersecurity researchers stressed that ransomware groups can exaggerate or fabricate victim claims to attract attention or pressure organisations into paying.

Yazoul Security previously reported other alleged RansomHouse victims, including Hospital Clínic de Barcelona in May 2026 and the California School Employees Association in August 2026. Those incidents were also described as unverified claims, with no independently confirmed evidence provided in the reports.

No leaked data, credentials or access instructions have been included in the reports, and members of the public are advised not to seek or access alleged stolen material.

Sources: Yazoul Security, ParanoidLab and Ransomware.live.

LEAK SCREENSHOT: Screenshot captured at time of discovery. Image blurred to protect victim Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Source: Ransomware.live

Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs