MEDIBANK LOSES AUSTRALIAN INTELLIGENCE DISCOVERS CYBER ATTACKS BY RUSSIA...

Australian Intelligence Finds Russian Hackers Performed Cyber, Attack on Medibank.

November 12, 2022.

Australia's foreign intelligence agency warned that supporting Ukraine could open the country to retaliation from Russian hackers. Police said Russian hackers had carried out a cyber attack on a major Australian healthcare company that breached the data of 9.7 million people, including the country's prime minister. Hackers began leaking the data this week after Medibank, the country's largest health insurer, refused to pay a $9.7 million ransom.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw blamed the attack on "cybercriminals" based in Russia.

“We believe those responsible for the violations are in Russia,” he told reporters on Friday, as reported by TRTWorld, Friday (11-11-2022). "Our intelligence points to a loosely affiliated group of cybercriminals likely responsible for significant past breaches around the world." Hackers have been feeding stolen data to dark web forums.

The first leak appears to have been chosen to cause maximum harm: targeting those receiving treatment for drug abuse, sexually transmitted infections, or termination of pregnancy.

Kershaw said the hackers also appeared to be supported by people living outside Russia. “These cybercriminals operate like a business with affiliates and associates supporting the business.

"We also believe that some affiliates may exist in other countries."

He added that Australian police would cooperate with Interpol and seek cooperation with their Russian counterparts. "We will be holding talks with Russian law enforcement about these people," he said. “Russia benefits from intelligence sharing and data shared through Interpol and with that comes responsibility and accountability.”

Threats of Retaliation

In April, Australia's overseas intelligence agency warned that supporting Ukraine could open the country to reprisals from Russian hackers. "Cybercrime groups allied with Russia have threatened to launch cyber operations in retaliation for perceived cyber attacks against the Russian government," the Australian Signals Directorate said in an advisory note.

"Several groups have also threatened to carry out cyber operations against countries and organizations providing material support to Ukraine." Kershaw said police knew the identities of the hackers but he would not name them. Cybersecurity analysts have suggested they could be linked to the Russian hacker group REvil. REvil – a mix of ransomware and crime – was reportedly busted by Russian authorities earlier this year, after extracting an $11 million ransom from JBS Foods, a major food conglomerate.

(Resa/TRTWorld)

source : islamtoday.id

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