Cyber Security Recap – Dec 10th
Table of Contents
- By David Lukic
- Published: Dec 23, 2021
- Last Updated: May 18, 2022
The second week of December has been quite active in the context of cyber security. Digital attacks are escalating as the year comes to a close. Canadian police arrested a ransomware attacker, earlier this week. The Ottawa-based hacker executed ransomware, malware, and phishing attacks against people and businesses in Canada, the United States, and other countries. The hacker is being charged in Canada and the United States as of the time of this publication.
Microsoft Seizes 40+ Domains
Microsoft seized more than 40 domains used for hacking. Chinese hackers allegedly used the domains to attack businesses and other organizations in the United States and nearly 30 other nations. Microsoft obtained a legal warrant to seize the domains. The digital miscreants responsible for the domains wreaked havoc on the web for upwards of an entire decade before the seizure.
Dubbed "Nickel", the hacking group appears to have received funding from the Chinese government. The cyber attacks collected intelligence information from think tanks, federal agencies, and other government-related organizations.
The SolarWinds Hackers are Back
Nobelium, the hacking group responsible for the 2019 SolarWinds digital attack, have reared their ugly heads once again. The hackers target resellers on the web, cloud providers, and even governmental agencies. The group employs bespoke downloaders and phishing attacks with virus-laden attachments to steal data.
Additional Digital Attacks of Note
An online attack eliminated more than two decades worth of data from Delta-Montrose Electric Association, an electric cooperative in Colorado. The cyberattack, first identified in early November, disabled the company’s internal systems. The attack has significantly reduced Delta-Montrose Electric's functionality. Though the attack has not been identified as ransomware, it has proven nearly as devastating. It might take another week to restore its payment systems and other capabilities.
The Military Takes on Ransomware Attackers
Representatives from the United States military revealed they are going on the offensive against ransomware groups. The United States' intelligence and military wings are working in unison to take down digital miscreants. The United States federal government is also working with international allies, including Interpol's cybercrime division to thwart ransomware attempts.
Google TAG Targets Blockchain Botnet
A blockchain-based botnet was disrupted by Google TAG earlier this week. Google's legal team is suing two individuals allegedly responsible for the Glupteba botnet. The botnet operation zeroed in on more than a million Microsoft's Windows operating system users. The Glupteba botnet is present in the United States, Asia, Brazil, and India.
Maryland’s Department of Health Website Attacked
A digital attack has rendered Maryland’s state-issued computers in its health department unsafe for use. The state's health department is asking employees to refrain from using computers issued by the state while officials conduct an investigation. The network security flaw centers on the state's Department of Health systems, those used by its partners, and local health departments.
Maryland government officials have not revealed if the hackers stole data. Several systems were taken down to halt the attack. The Health Department redirected traffic away from its website to the Maryland state government website to mitigate damage from the attack.
