Long before Putins full-scale invasion, Russian hackers began targeting Ukrainian infrastructure and government institutions.
Well also update this article as the situation in Ukraine developsso those affected know whats happening with their data.
When Russia formally moved troops into Crimea, its stated intention was to protect Russians and normalize the situation.
However, the economic disparity between the two nations puts Ukraine at a disadvantage.
Putin has falsely claimed that Ukraine is a fascistgovernment committing genocide on its own people.
Andhis disinformation campaign is extremely effective in Russia.
Fedorov appealed to “digital talents” in a Twitter post on Feb. 26th
And Russia is a master of cyberwarfare.
According to Rolf Mowatt-Larsen, a former chief of the CIAs Moscow station, its part of Putins playbook.
Analysts warn thatRussian hackers could disable Ukrainian infrastructure completelyto help the Russian advance on Kyiv.
Fedorov appealed to “digital talents” in a Twitter post on Feb. 26th
He has also expressed his desire to return Russia to the former glory of the Soviet Union.
If that happens, it could lead to cyber warfare on a global scale.
Why Does Russia Use Cyberwar?
Russia has used cyberwar to accomplish a number of its objectives, both in Ukraine and elsewhere.
These cyberattacks were a way to send a message to the rest of Ukraine that you too are vulnerable.
Even though youre hundreds of miles away from the fronts, we can reach you, too.
Russia also used cyber operations in Ukraine as training exercises to develop its capabilities.
In 2014, Russia used cyber tactics to disrupt the Ukrainian Presidential Election.
And in 2016, Russia ran a similar disinformation campaign against the United States Presidential Election.
For example, in 2016, Germanys domestic intelligence agency claimed Russian hackersattacked state computers.
In 2022, cyberattacks have been used to create fear and confusion in Ukraine.
To prepare the battlefield4 according to Greenberg.
Several hacking groups and nation-states are acting on behalf of Russian and Ukrainian forces following the Russian invasion.
Unit 26165 is responsible for several high-profile cyberattacks in recent years.
Unit 74455 is another hacking group in the GRU.
Speaking to Slate,Greenberg calls Sandworm the most active cyberwarfare hacker group in the world.
This is a group that specializes in just inflicting maximum chaos globally.
Other hacking groups are supporting Russias invasion.
UNC1151 (or Ghostwriter) has attacked Ukrainian websites.
Ghostwriter has sophisticated capabilities and acts on behalf of the Belarussian government.
Conti is another group openly supporting the Russian invasion.
Several hacktivist groups merged to form the UCA, which is responsible for the Surkov Leaks among others.
We are creating an IT army.
We need digital talents, wrote Fedorov in a Twitter post.
So far 230,000+ people have joined, with Russian websites, banks, and energy the groups primary targets.
Andin late February 2022, Anonymous declared cyberwar on Russia.
The group already claims to have successfully attacked Russias Ministry of Defense.
Ghostsec, a group many people believe to be an offshoot of Anonymous, is also supporting Ukraine.
Ghostsec was initially involved in countering religious extremism websites belonging to ISIS.
What Are the Most Significant Cyberattacks Since 2014?
The Russia-Ukraine cyberwar is characterized by major Russian operations and Ukrainian retaliation.
Russian cyberattacks have often sought to inflict the maximum level of chaos and disruption.
What Russian Cyberattacks Occured Pre-Invasion?
Russian cyberattacks have increased significantly since negotiations broke downbetween Russia and NATO in mid-January, 2022.
Russia increased its cyber activities just one day after their NATO proposal hit a dead-end.
The attack also crippled Ukraines Diia service and several other government websites.
Diia allows Ukrainian citizens to access important digital documents and over 50 government services.
Russian hackers enacted these attacks to destabilize Ukrainian infrastructure and spread fear across the country.
Since January, Russia has spread disinformation and attacked Ukrainian infrastructure in preparation for a full-scale military invasion.
Many of these accounts also characterize Ukraine as a puppet of the West.
Unsourced videos emerged of civilian evacuations in the separatist-controlled area in eastern Ukraine.
Despite this apparent state of emergency, the videos metadata showed it was recorded three days before being released.
A rebel guard station is blown up in one video, and another allegedly shows Ukrainian agents under arrest.
Some sources have even suggested Putins speech, released before the invasion, was pre-recorded.
Putin also claimed the Ukrainian government was responsible for genocidein separatist regions.
But Putin is willing to double-down on disinformation, even when presented with compelling evidence that says otherwise.
Putins falsified claims also represent a shift in the Kremlins disinformation strategy.
DDoS attacks occur when multiple devices simultaneously send loads of data to a computer internet.
DDoS attacks are meant to overwhelm and disable computer networks.
U.S. and U.K. officials blamed the attacks on the GRU.
On February 23rd, 2022, Russian hackers used a new strain of malware called HermeticWiper against Ukraine.
HermeticWiper malware is used to delete data from computer systems.
This particular strain also stops computers from rebooting.
The HermeticWiper also spread to Lithuania and Latvia.
According to the SSSCIP Ukraines Twitter account, attackers were trying to gather information from Ukrainian citizens mobile phones.
Any Russian-Linked Cyberattacks During the Invasion?
Primarily,Russian attacks focus on disrupting communication channels and sources of information.
Russian cyberattacks havent represented the intense, mass-scale cyberwarfare many people expected.
Around one-quarter of users suffer a loss of connection in the city and its surrounding region.
Russias attack on information sources is designed to create confusion and further Russias disinformation campaign.
A Ukrainian border control station is infected with data-wiper malware.
The cyberattack significantly affects the station’s ability to process refugees crossing into Romania.
Hackers steal health, insurance, and transport-related personally identifiable information (PII) as well as government data.
Hackers also disrupt civilian infrastructure and spread disinformation.
Whats Ukraines Response?
Ukraine lacks the cyber capabilities to resist Russian hacking on its own.
The IT Army comprises a defensive unit and an offensive unit, each with different strategic objectives.
The defensive unit protects Ukraines critical infrastructure from Russian hackers, including energy systems and banks.
The offensive unit cyberattacks Russian targets and conducts espionage to help Ukraines military.
The IT army claims it has successfully attacked several Russian websites and a major Russian bank, Sberbank.
The group is also distributing factual information in Belarus to counter Russias disinformation campaign.
Ukrainian Twitter accounts are involved in meme warfare to a similar effect.
These accounts satirize President Putin and Russia with political cartoons and jokes.
Attackers also disabled websites for Russian aerospace and railroad companies.
Hackers leaked thousands of emails, passwords, and phone numbers belonging to Russian officials.
Attacks have targeted sources of Russian disinformation.
Anonymous hackers disabled the state-backed news website Russia Today with DDoS attacks.
Anonymous further claims to have breached a Russian space agency.
Elsewhere, Ghostsec has allegedly stolen a trove of data from the Russian Information Office.
And we can expect more sophisticated attacks on Russian infrastructure as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues.
According to recent statistics, Russian organizations are facing an increased cyber threat.
Fedorov also asked Meta to remove Instagram and Facebook in Russia.
These include Youtube and Google, which blocked Russian media from using its advertising tools.
Twitter claims it is actively monitoring25 its platform for risks.
Meanwhile, Facebook has intercepted information warfare groups posing as various fake personas and news outlets.
Facebook sent Russian users a notification about account security and restricted viewing and searching accounts friend lists.
Feb. 24th, 2022
Feb. 25th, 2022
Feb. 26th, 2022.
One-third of these messages originated in Ukraine and targeted Russian citizens.
Another scam appeared to target Ghanaian and Kenyan residents in Ukraine.
Individuals who are vulnerable, desperate, or exhibit generous tendencies become targets for scammers.
Regrettably, we anticipate an increase in scams capitalizing on this crisis as long as it persists.
What Are the Risks of Cyberwarfare?
Widespread Russian cyber tactics also pressure Ukraines defense.
Pro-Ukrainian hackers are now disrupting Russian communication lines, institutions, and disinformation outlets.
Theoretically, Ukraine could disarm Russias cyberwar with enough help from international hackers.
However, Russian cyber aggression doesnt just threaten Ukrainian cybersecurity.
NATO leaders are concerned cyberwar will ultimately affect government institutions, infrastructure, and organizations around the world.
This concern isnt unfounded.
Western powers have imposed strict economic sanctions on Russia, and many nations expect Russian retaliation.
Both U.S. and U.K. officials have told businesses to stay alert to suspicious Russian activity.
We need everyone to do their part"29.
How to Protect Yourself?
What steps can you take to limit your vulnerability to cyberattacks and disinformation?
However, were not seeing nearly as many Russian cyberattacks as analysts expected.
These actions could disarm the Russian propaganda machine and build opposition to the war among Russian citizens.
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