So I think an is starting. Thank you very much jen we believe that the Russian government is responsible for wide scale cyber attacks on Ukrainian banks. This week. We have technical information that links Russian, the Russian main intelligence directorate or G R U as known Gr you infrastructure was seen transmitting high volumes of communication to Ukraine based I. P addresses and domains. We've shared the underlying intelligence with Ukraine and with our european partners. While of limited impact, this recent spate of cyber attacks in Ukraine are consistent with what a Russian effort could look like and laying the groundwork for more disruptive cyberattacks accompanying a potential further invasion of Ukraine's sovereign territory. Russia likes to move in the shadows and counts on a long process of attribution so it can continue its malicious behavior against Ukraine and cyberspace including pre positioning for its potential invasion. The global community must be prepared to shine a light on malicious cyber activity and hold actors accountable for any and all disruptive or destructive cyber activity. And as the president said earlier this week, if Russia attacks the United States or allies through asymmetric activities like disruptive cyberattacks against our companies or critical infrastructure, we are prepared to respond
What happens if a Russian cyber attack hits US banks? Tips to keep your money safe
Updated: 7:23 AM EST Feb 25, 2022
The standoff between the United States and Russia over the conflict in Ukraine has so far mainly played out on diplomatic and economic fronts.But now, as Russia invades Ukraine and the United States imposes new sanctions on Russia, there are concerns that may change. The U.S. government is on high alert for the possibility of the conflict spilling over into cyberspace, where Russia has shown an ability to cause significant disruption and damage in the past.On Tuesday, a senior FBI cyber official warned U.S. businesses and local governments that they should be vigilant against potential ransomware attacks, just days after multiple U.S. agencies issued a similar warning to executives at major U.S. banks, according to people with knowledge of both meetings.What are some of the best tips to keep your money safe?Keep some cash on hand: Some cyber attacks can impact at ATMs, making withdrawing money difficult, according to consumer podcaster Clark Howard. Having cold hard cash on hand can better help you cope until your bank comes back online.Change your passwords often: Try to swap out your passwords as much as you can. And avoid using a password that you already use for another account. With that said, consumers are at relatively low risk of losing funds in the event of a cyber attack on their financial institution. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, supplies insurance to banks so that a customer can be refunded if money is taken from their account without their permission. Precedent for Russian cyberattacksIf the recent past is any indication, there are a number of ways Russian hackers could disrupt U.S. businesses and the general public.Some of the biggest cyberattacks against U.S. infrastructure in the past two years have been linked to suspected Russian hackers. The list includes the SolarWinds hack that infiltrated several government agencies in 2020, the ransomware attack that forced a shutdown of one of America's largest fuel pipelines for several days last year and another attack on one of the world's largest meat producers, JBS.Russia has also been repeatedly accused of perpetrating online disinformation campaigns targeting the United States, including, most notably, efforts to interfere with U.S. elections and sow discord. U.S. officials this week also accused Russian intelligence of spreading disinformation about Ukraine.While many online attacks can't directly be linked to the Russian state, there's a widespread belief that hackers operate with Russia's blessing, according to Herb Lin, a senior research scholar for cyber policy and security at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation."They don't operate directly for the Russian government, but they operate under a set of rules that says: 'you guys do what you want... don't target Russian stuff and we won't bother you,'" Lin told CNN Business.Spillover from UkraineUkraine has already faced multiple cyberattacks since the conflict with Russia started, including one on Wednesday that targeted the website of the country's parliament as well as several banks and government agencies.Analysts say even targeted cyberattacks against Ukraine could potentially have implications beyond the country's borders (both physical and virtual). In a report Tuesday, analysts at S&P Global Ratings flagged "a heightened risk of cyberattacks on Ukraine... which could create knock-on effects for corporations, governments, and other parties in the region and beyond."Companies worldwide that work with organizations in Ukraine need to be particularly careful, the analysts added, "since connections to Ukrainian systems might be used as a pivot point to other targets."
The standoff between the United States and Russia over the conflict in Ukraine has so far mainly played out on diplomatic and economic fronts.
But now, as Russia invades Ukraine and the United States imposes new sanctions on Russia, there are concerns that may change. The U.S. government is on high alert for the possibility of the conflict spilling over into cyberspace, where Russia has shown an ability to cause significant disruption and damage in the past.
On Tuesday, a senior FBI cyber official warned U.S. businesses and local governments that they should be vigilant against potential ransomware attacks, just days after multiple U.S. agencies issued a similar warning to executives at major U.S. banks, according to people with knowledge of both meetings.
What are some of the best tips to keep your money safe?
- Keep some cash on hand: Some cyber attacks can impact at ATMs, making withdrawing money difficult, according to consumer podcaster Clark Howard. Having cold hard cash on hand can better help you cope until your bank comes back online.
- Change your passwords often: Try to swap out your passwords as much as you can. And avoid using a password that you already use for another account.
- With that said, consumers are at relatively low risk of losing funds in the event of a cyber attack on their financial institution. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, supplies insurance to banks so that a customer can be refunded if money is taken from their account without their permission.
Precedent for Russian cyberattacks
If the recent past is any indication, there are a number of ways Russian hackers could disrupt U.S. businesses and the general public.
Some of the biggest cyberattacks against U.S. infrastructure in the past two years have been linked to suspected Russian hackers. The list includes the SolarWinds hack that infiltrated several government agencies in 2020, the ransomware attack that forced a shutdown of one of America's largest fuel pipelines for several days last year and another attack on one of the world's largest meat producers, JBS.
Russia has also been repeatedly accused of perpetrating online disinformation campaigns targeting the United States, including, most notably, efforts to interfere with U.S. elections and sow discord. U.S. officials this week also accused Russian intelligence of spreading disinformation about Ukraine.
While many online attacks can't directly be linked to the Russian state, there's a widespread belief that hackers operate with Russia's blessing, according to Herb Lin, a senior research scholar for cyber policy and security at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation.
"They don't operate directly for the Russian government, but they operate under a set of rules that says: 'you guys do what you want... don't target Russian stuff and we won't bother you,'" Lin told CNN Business.
Spillover from Ukraine
Ukraine has already faced multiple cyberattacks since the conflict with Russia started, including one on Wednesday that targeted the website of the country's parliament as well as several banks and government agencies.
Analysts say even targeted cyberattacks against Ukraine could potentially have implications beyond the country's borders (both physical and virtual). In a report Tuesday, analysts at S&P Global Ratings flagged "a heightened risk of cyberattacks on Ukraine... which could create knock-on effects for corporations, governments, and other parties in the region and beyond."
Companies worldwide that work with organizations in Ukraine need to be particularly careful, the analysts added, "since connections to Ukrainian systems might be used as a pivot point to other targets."
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