Tag Archive for: allies

UK and allies expose Russian intelligence services for cyber campaign of attempted political interference – National Cyber Security Centre



UK and allies expose Russian intelligence services for cyber campaign of attempted political interference  National Cyber Security Centre

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Allies To Gain Access to US Ransomware Data Under New Policy


Allies To Gain Access to US Ransomware Data Under New Policy

Allies To Gain Access to US Ransomware Data Under New Policy

The White House is set to announce a new policy for responding to ransomware attacks, as the number of such attacks continues to grow substantially. The US accounts for 46% of ransomware attacks globally, according to Anne Neuberger, Deputy National Security Advisor.

Recent high-profile attacks have hit major companies like casino operator MGM Resorts and cleaning products maker Clorox. In these attacks, hackers encrypt systems and demand ransom payments, usually in cryptocurrency, to decrypt them. Sensitive stolen data is often used to further extort victims.

The new White House policy will facilitate intelligence sharing related to ransomware attackers between the US and its allies. In particular, authorities will share cryptocurrency wallet addresses criminals use to collect ransoms.

The policy reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of ransomware schemes. Attackers routinely use infrastructure and data from one country to attack organizations in others. Enhanced coordination will allow rapid response.

A 40-country alliance led by the US, including Nigeria, Singapore and South Korea, will collaborate to cut off ransomware funding flows. The group will leverage artificial intelligence to trace ransom payments on the blockchain and maintain a blacklist of known criminal wallets.

“Ransomware attackers extorted at least $456.8 million from victims in 2022, down from $765.6 million the year before,” Chainalysis reported.

Source: Chainalysis

With this alliance, authorities hope to stem the tide of attacks. But with billions in cryptocurrency paid annually to ransomware criminals, curbing the epidemic remains an ongoing battle.

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Microsoft: Russia Stepping Up Hacking, Cyber Penetration Efforts on 42 Ukraine Allies


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Russian cyber spies attack Ukraine’s allies, Microsoft says


Microsoft President and Vice Chairman Brad Smith speaks during a meeting hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden with private sector CEOs to discuss the Build Back Better agenda at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 26, 2022. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

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SAN FRANCISCO, June 22 (Reuters) – Russian government hackers have conducted multiple cyber spy operations on countries allied with Ukraine since Moscow’s February invasion of that country, Microsoft said in a report on Wednesday.

“The cyber aspects of the current war extend far beyond Ukraine and reflect the unique nature of cyberspace,” Microsoft President Brad Smith said in the report.

The Russian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Moscow has in the past denied conducting foreign cyber espionage missions, saying it “contradicts the principles of Russian foreign policy.”

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Researchers had already traced a series of destructive cyberattacks on Ukrainian entities to Russian state-backed hacking groups since the conflict began.

The Microsoft report said researchers found 128 organizations in 42 countries outside Ukraine were also targeted by the same groups in stealthy, espionage-focused hacks.

Outside Ukraine, the United States was the country most-targeted by such intrusion efforts, the report said, but member countries of the military alliance NATO — which has provided critical support to Ukraine amid the conflict – were hit too.

These include organizations based in Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Poland, as well as Finland and Sweden, countries that have voiced a desire to join the NATO alliance.

“The target appeared to be mostly governments, although also included think tanks, humanitarian groups, and critical infrastructure providers,” the report said.

Microsoft said the hacking against allies was successful about 29% of the time and in some cases led to data being stolen.

Foreign policy experts say they fear Russia’s combined kinetic and cyber warfare strategy against Ukraine will become a model for future conflicts.

In an earlier report, Microsoft indicated…

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