Subj : The aftermath of the Kyivstar cyber attack is a warning for us al
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Fri Jan 05 2024 13:15:05

The aftermath of the Kyivstar cyber attack is a warning for us all

Date:
Fri, 05 Jan 2024 13:06:48 +0000

Description:
The damage to Ukraine's main mobile network provider is a stark reminder of 
the kind of damage hackers can do.

FULL STORY
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The mass outage of Ukrainian mobile and internet provider Kyivstar on 
December 12 last year has now been attributed to the Russian state-sponsored 
Sandworm group by Ukraines Security Service (SBU). 

The attack resulted in a total outage of the networks provided by Kyivstar, 
which included a number of early-warning attack systems, and caused a surge 
in traffic on other network providers in Ukraine as people sought alternative 
means of connectivity. 

It has now been determined that the group were lingering inside the Kyivstar 
network from as early as May 2023. A wider warning for NATO 

The attack also targeted Kyivstars computer networks, deleting the data from 
thousands of servers and causing widespread long term damage to the network 
operators infrastructure. Speaking in an interview , the head of the SBU 
Illia Vitiuk said that the attack completely destroyed the core of a telecoms 
operator." 

For now, we can say securely, that they were in the system at least since May 
2023. I cannot say right now, since what time they had ... full access: 
probably at least since November. 

Adam Meyers, head of Counter Adversary Operations at CrowdStrike told 
TechRadar Pro that, Reports around the destruction of Kyivstars virtual 
infrastructure coincide with reports of air raid sirens in Kiev 
malfunctioning, as well as payment terminals and multiple banks suffering 
disruption, and issues reported with payment for public transportation. 

Since the onset of the conflict, Russian cyber operators have conducted 
intrusion operations for espionage, information operations, and destructive 
purposes against Ukrainian targets. An overarching motivation for the 
adversary is to contribute to psychological operations seeking to degrade, 
delegitimize, or otherwise influence public trust in state institutions and 
sectors such as government, energy, transportation and media. 

The attack is suggested to be a part of Russias wider hybrid warfare tactics, 
where the Kremlins traditional military attacks are accompanied by cyber and 
psychological attacks. One such example is Russias missile, suicide drone and 
cyber attacks targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure in the winter of 
2022-23 in an effort to erode morale and support of Ukraines general public 
for the war. 

Such attacks highlight the potential dangers posed to NATO from the Kremlin 
and its affiliated cyber criminal enterprises. Last year, UK deputy prime 
minister Oliver Dowden suggested that people should stock up on battery 
powered radios, torches and first aid kits, listing Russia and cyber attacks 
as potential threats to the UK. More from TechRadar Pro Orange Spain taken 
offline following massive cyberattack caused by "ridiculously weak" password 
In need of new security? Take a look at our guide to the best firewall 
software Top US healthcare firm reveals data breach affected millions of 
patients 




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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/the-aftermath-of-the-kyivstar-cyber-attack-is-a-
warning-for-us-all


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