The US government has offered up to $10 million in rewards for those who can provide information on six Russian state hackers.
Key Takeaways:
The federal US government is offering a $10 million bounty in search of information on six Russian hackers associated with Sandworm, an advanced group of malicious attackers that has established a long-term target on Ukraine.
The hackers’ previous attacks and skills include spear-phishing and malware, having gained unauthorized access and infected computers within international critical infrastructure facilities.
Sandworm as a whole recently launched sophisticated malware such as Cyclops Blink and an upgraded model of Industroyer; the agents themselves were also indicted in 2020 for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft after the deployment of other destructive malware.
Why it Matters:
The government’s persistence to find these hackers is due to their direct violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act; the Rewards of Justice has requested that individuals submit tips anonymously through Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp, or their Tor website.
Threat actors are working individually and in advanced groups such as Sandworm to launch harmful campaigns across the globe – usually with the intent to disrupt and destabilize nations, draining them of money and resources.
As the target on the United States continues to grow, it’s crucial that American businesses take the necessary steps to prevent themselves from falling victim to a detrimental attack. Partnering with a cybersecurity firm can help you to assess the gaps within your company and implement the precautions that you need.