The FBI has accused four Russians of hacking energy companies around the world “using techniques designed to enable future physical damage with potentially catastrophic effects”.
Two unsealed indictments claim the men worked for Russia‘s government while targeting hundreds of victims in more than 135 countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, and even China between 2012 and 2018.
The hackers are accused of breaking into and threatening critical infrastructure “both in the United States and around the world” according to deputy attorney general Lisa Monaco, and there is a reward of up to $10m (£7.5m) for information about each of them.
Read more: US warns businesses to be prepared for Russian cyber attacks
Four men charged in two indictments
The first was against Evgeny Viktorovich Gladkikh, who allegedly worked for the Russian ministry of defence.
The second against Pavel Aleksandrovich Akulov, Mikhail Mikhailovich Gavrilov, and Marat Valeryevich Tyukov who are accused of working for Russia’s security services.
Attack could have killed people
Among the attacks was one targeting a petro-chemical plant in Saudi Arabia with malware “designed specifically to target the planet’s safety override” according to the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre.
The NCSC said the malware “had the capability to cause significant impact, possibly including the release of toxic gas or an explosion – either of which could have resulted in loss of life and physical damage to the facility.”
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Britain would be sanctioning a subsidiary of the Russian defence ministry as a result of the attack on the Saudi plant.
NCSC added it was “almost certain” that hackers belonging to Centre 16 of Russia’s Federal…
Source : skynews
