Google Threat Analysis Group Report released
“Attack on NATO members is likely to increase”
A Google analysis report has revealed that hacker groups have surged in cyberattacks on Ukrainian government agencies and others.
The Google Threat Analysis Group (TAG) released a report titled ‘Cyber Threat Environment Changed by the Ukrainian Conflict’ through a blog on the 16th.
According to the report, cyberattacks against Ukraine by Russian government-sponsored hacker groups increased by 250% last year compared to 2020. Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year.
The hacker organization’s number one target for attacks was major government agencies such as the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was found that Russia carried out information operations using various media and platforms to form friendly public opinion related to the war. Google TAG explained that the operation was aimed at undermining Ukrainian government functions and neutralizing Western aid, including the United States.
Shane Huntley, senior director of TAG at Google, explained, “Activities such as the mobilization of Russian troops have also increased in the online space. .
The hacker organization also targeted members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), such as Poland and Germany. According to Google TAG, ‘phishing’ attacks in the form of stealing personal information by sending e-mails to an unspecified number of NATO member countries increased by 300% compared to 2020.
Google TAG also revealed examples of specific hacker organizations. The hacker group ‘Pusha’, which operates in Belarus, targeted Poland and Lithuania last year. In addition, the Russian hacker group ‘Cold River’ explained that they attacked military organizations.
Cyberattacks on Ukraine are not unique to Russia. According to Google TAG, an organization called ‘Curious George’ belonging to the Chinese military has been continuing cyber attacks in Ukraine.
Google TAG predicts that hacker groups supported by the Russian government will continue cyberattacks on Ukraine and NATO members this year. In particular, it is explained that as Western countries are expanding funding and military aid to Ukraine, Russia and hacker organizations will increase the speed of cyber attacks and expand their targets.
Foreign media such as Bloomberg pointed out that Google TAG released these reports ahead of the “Munich Security Conference” held in Germany from the 17th to the 19th.
Google TAG said, “We are confident that Russia will continue its devastating attacks in relation to Ukraine in the future,” and “in particular, cyber attacks will play an essential role in the course of the war.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.