SSH Brute-Force Tool Linked to Former US Army Soldier’s Extortion Scheme

Cameron John Wagenius, a former U.S. Army soldier, pleaded guilty in July 2025 to running an SSH brute-force campaign using a tool dubbed “SSH Brute.” The attacks focused on telecom companies and led to unauthorized access, data theft, and extortion demands totaling over $1 million.
The FBI tracked the campaign via logs and cryptocurrency forensics. The attacker also used SIM swapping and phishing to reinforce initial brute-force access. This case highlights how basic brute-force tools can still have devastating real-world consequences.

Reference: techradar