By Tom Acres, technology reporter
Russia may switch the focus of its cyberattacks to Ukraine’s Western allies in a bid to undermine their support for the country’s war effort, security analysts have said.
Experts at Cyjax, a threat intelligence provider, says many Western countries are weaker targets.
As we mentioned below, this week has seen main mobile network Kyivstar taken offline following a “powerful hacker attack”, leaving customers without phone or internet.
The Kremlin is known to lean on hacktivist groups to support its own efforts, with Cyjax noting increased activity by the pro-Russian UserSec, SiergedSec, NoName057, AnonymousSudan, and AnonymousRussia. But in a report released today called The Cyber Winter of Discontent, Cyjax says they have so far not had the crippling impact Vladimir Putin would have hoped for.
Roman Faithfull, the company’s cyber intelligence lead, said Western support had helped “stagnate” the attacks.
But Mr Faithfull warned Russia could turn its attention to Ukraine’s allies, which may have comparatively weak cyber defences, in a bid to disrupt supply chains and induce war fatigue.
“Businesses and cybersecurity experts should be on their guard for any irregular activity and bolster their defences across the cyber and information space,” he added.
It comes a week after the UK government warned Russian cyber attackers have been targeting British politicians, thinktanks, journalists, schools, and the NHS.
Here’s what you need to know about those attacks…
