- Home
- World
- ANALYSIS - Russian FSB Eliminating REvil Hackers Puts Pressure on Other Known Threat Actors
ANALYSIS - Russian FSB Eliminating REvil Hackers Puts Pressure On Other Known Threat Actors
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published January 19, 2022 | 04:00 AM
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th January, 2022) ASHINGTON, January 19 (Sputnik), Ekaterina Chukaeva - The elimination by Russia of the REvil hacker group whose members are accused of large-scale cyberattacks on US companies, including the shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline in May and a cyberattack on the meat giant JBS, represents a significant shift and creates pressure on other known threat actors, experts told Sputnik.
The announcement about the arrested was made by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) last week. The agency added that people had been detained during raids after it received a request from the United States.
"FSB taking down the REvil group to accommodate the US represents a significant shift and puts pressure on other known threat actors," Christian Have, a chief technical officer (CTO) from the Danish LogPoint group that enables organizations to convert data into actionable intelligence, told Sputnik.
He noted that while it is satisfying to see the consequences for cybercriminals, cracking down on threat actors will hardly eliminate the ransomware problem.
"The amount of money out there is staggering, and organizations still pay ransoms. Instead, it's like smashing a hornets' nest, creating a more fragmented threat landscape. It has been a blessing for the cybersecurity industry that the very sophisticated groups have used the same tactics repeatedly, making detection easier," he explained.
However, in the current environment, the world is risking losing the advantage, he added.
"Maybe the level of sophistication will decrease as the ransomware economy decentralizes. Still, we will see way more innovation, which will provide a difficult challenge for cybersecurity professionals working to protect organizations," he concluded.
Sam Curry, a chief security officer at Cybereason, a Boston-based cybersecurity technology company, believes that while the organization took a blow, new actors will rise to fill the hole.
"The bottom line for those outside Russia is that a major player is taking a hit, which will mean a reduction in victims for the time being," Curry said. "As with most criminal syndicates, though, there's always another player around to fill the void."
However, until Russia actually changes domestic policy with regard to international cyber crime, Curry added, the rest of the world should not read too much into it.
Meanwhile, the US administration said that it welcomed the detentions of REvil members, adding that Russia's actions against REvil are very important and represent what the United States is looking for in the future. Washington added that the administration expects Moscow to pursue legal action within its own system against the arrested hackers.
The vulnerability of US pipelines was illustrated by a ransomware attack in May that forced the temporary closure of a Colonial Pipeline, which carries gasoline, diesel and jet fuel from the state of Texas to much of the eastern United States. The pipeline reopened when operators paid the hackers about $4.4 million.
The attack on meat-producing giant JBS USA happened in late May and led to the temporary closure of all of its beef factories in the US. The company later said that it paid extortionists $11 million.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
More Stories From World
-
United by grief, families of Boeing crash victims demand justice
2 minutes ago -
Microsoft expands its AI empire abroad
12 minutes ago -
China ready to work with Pakistan to promote practical cooperation under CPEC, GDI: Luo Zhaohui
12 minutes ago -
Nuggets push Lakers to brink as Embiid's 50 points lead Sixers over Knicks
22 minutes ago -
Man City in title groove as Arsenal face Spurs test
22 minutes ago -
Philippine settlement submerged by dam reappears due to drought
22 minutes ago
-
ByteDance says 'no plans' to sell TikTok after US ban law
1 hour ago -
Oil: 'Mother of corruption' in Venezuela
1 hour ago -
ECO General Secretary urges member nations to embrace cultural wealth
1 hour ago -
China warns Blinken over deteriorating ties in talks
1 hour ago -
Famine-threatened Sudan's 'race against time' to plant crops
1 hour ago -
Microsoft, Google earnings shine as AI drives revenue
2 hours ago