RiseUp

RiseUp is a privacy‑focused email service provider headquartered in the United States of America. The organization’s core product is encrypted email that emphasizes confidentiality and protection against surveillance. It serves individuals, activists, and organizations that require secure communication channels. RiseUp operates under the alias RiseUp and is recognized for its commitment to user privacy. Its market consists of users who prioritize data protection and seek email solutions resistant to third‑party monitoring.

On October 21, 2021, RiseUp was among several privacy‑focused email providers hit by a coordinated DDoS extortion campaign. The threat actor, identifying themselves as the Cursed Patriarch, launched attacks that peaked at approximately 256 Gbps. The actor demanded a ransom of 0.06 bitcoin and threatened to escalate the disruption if payment was not received within three days. RiseUp, along with the other targeted providers, publicly refused to comply with the extortion demand. The campaign caused prolonged service outages for the affected email services and was later referenced by the attackers in media coverage of their operations. This incident is cited as an example of the broader trend of DDoS‑based extortion that has also targeted ISPs, financial institutions, and other online services. Unlike unrelated DDoS attacks aimed at VoIP or gaming platforms, this campaign specifically focused on security‑centric email providers. The event underscores RiseUp’s positioning as a notable target due to its privacy‑oriented services and its stance against yielding to ransom pressures. No further details about RiseUp’s ownership, parent company, or subsidiary relationships are provided in the available sources. Consequently, the profile of RiseUp is defined by its privacy‑focused email offering, its U.S. headquarters, and its experience with a high‑profile DDoS extortion attempt.