Slashdot Mirror
Cyber Firms Warn on Suspected Russian Plan To Attack Ukraine (reuters.com)
Jim Finkle, reporting for Reuters: Cisco Systems on Wednesday warned that hackers have infected at least 500,000 routers and storage devices in dozens of countries with highly sophisticated malicious software, possibly in preparation for another massive cyber attack on Ukraine. Cisco's Talos cyber intelligence unit said it has high confidence that the Russian government is behind the campaign, dubbed VPNFilter, because the hacking software shares code with malware used in previous cyber attacks that the U.S. government has attributed to Moscow. Cisco said the malware could be used for espionage, to interfere with internet communications or launch destructive attacks on Ukraine, which has previously blamed Russia for massive hacks that took out parts of its energy grid and shuttered factories. Head of Ukraine's cyber police said on Wednesday that the agency is aware of new large malware campaign, and that it is working to protect Ukraine against possible new cyber threat.
Hacker: Oh, stop stalling. Come on.
Cisco: I can't think, there's all this noise.
Hacker: Or is it because I've built a stronghold around Greenland? I've driven you out of Western Europe and I've left you teetering on the brink of complete annihilation.
Cisco: I'm not beaten yet. I still have routers in the Ukraine.
Hacker: Ha ha, the Ukraine. Do you know what the Ukraine is? It's a sitting duck. A road apple, Cisco. The Ukraine is weak. It's feeble. I think it's time to put the hurt on the Ukraine.
Ukrainian: I come from Ukraine. You not say Ukraine weak.
Hacker: Yeah, well we're playing a game here, pal.
Ukrainian: Ukraine is game to you?! Howbout I take your little keyboard and smash it!!
The Ukrainian pounds the keyboard, destroying it and sending pieces flying.