An operation between 13 countries and Europol led to the takedown of the ransomware HIVE. Over the last several years, the malicious software was used to compromise and encrypt the data and computer systems of large IT and oil multinationals in the EU and the United States of America. Ransom payments led an estimated 1500 companies to lose almost €100 million. The ransomware was also used as a so-called "ransomware-as-a-service" (RaaS), allowing other ransomware groups to attack a wide range of businesses and critical infrastructure sectors, such as government facilities, telecommunication companies, the manufacturing industry, information technology, and the healthcare and public health sector (including hospitals). With the takedown of HIVE, law enforcement authorities were able to provide many victims with the necessary decryption keys, helping them regain access to their data.