Previously, hackers were divided into two large groups: state-funded APT specialists or cybercriminals who simply want to extort money from someone. Now they are talking about the third group – the privates.

Historically, privateers were called private individuals who, with the permission of the supreme power of the belligerent state, used an armed ship to seize the enemy’s merchant ships. Modern privates also pursue material benefits and at the same time are under the protection of the state. However, it may not necessarily fund cybercriminals.

The DarkSide and Lockbit groups are called privateers. They do not report directly to governments, but they have protection from them. In particular, such hackers are not pursued by law enforcement agencies.