Russian Hacking Intensifies Closer To Ukrainian Election

Russian hackers are redoubling their efforts in the run-up to presidential elections in Ukraine, according to the head of Ukraine’s cyber-police.

Serhii Demediuk (pictured) said in an interview with The Associated Press that Russian-controlled digital saboteurs are stepping up attacks on the Central Elections Commission and its employees, trying to penetrate electronic systems in order to manipulate information about the March 31 election.

“On the eve of the election and during the counting of votes there will be cyberattacks on certain objects of critical infrastructure. This applies to the work of the polling stations themselves, districts, and the CEC,” he said.

“From what we are seeing, it will be manipulation aimed at distorting information about the results of elections, and calling the elections null or void,” Demediuk said.

The presidential election will be a test of Ukraine’s capacity for order. Russia has consistently portrayed Ukraine under President Petro Poroshenko as corrupt and poorly run, and undermining the election’s credibility could serve Russia’s propaganda interests.

Ukraine aspires to join the European Union and NATO, and an orderly and credible election could show that it is approaching the democratic standards that those organisations consider key.

Ukraine has been locked in a years-long struggle with Russia-backed separatists in the country’s east and has repeatedly been hit by cyberattacks of escalating severity.

Since 2014, its energy, transportation and banking systems have been attacked. The malicious program NotPetya hit thousands of computers not only in Ukraine, which was the main target of the attack, but throughout the world.

Asked about Demediuk’s claims, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday 13th February: “We know nothing about this. The only thing I can say is that we’ve been hearing similar statements from different countries in the world. This is becoming a sort of mania or phobia but it has nothing to do with reality. Russia has never had anything to do with any types of cybercrimes.”

None of the 44 registered candidates appear to have enough support to win an absolute majority, which would force a runoff three weeks later.

The activity of hackers has noticeably increased during the election campaign six weeks before the elections, Demediuk said. He said some of the hackers are impersonating top officials in order to penetrate the computers of commission members and technical staff.

“Every day cyber incidents that come from Russia or from other countries are increasing. Why from other countries? Because our opponents and enemies are not stupid, they use different methods to anonymize and distort information,” he said.

Kiev says the hackers are combining usual digital espionage methods with attempts to manipulate or intimidate.

“We see a combination of classic cyberattacks, such as those previously committed, with misinformation and social engineering,” Demediuk said.

In 2015 Ukraine was the site of the world’s first confirmed attack on a power system. The hackers succeeded in paralysing 30 electrical substations and leaving around 230,000 people without power.

Demediuk said malicious Russian software was often tested in Ukraine, then later used in other countries.

“Ukraine is the launching pad where it all begins ... they first of all test us. We are the enemy for them, and they are for us. And so the use of any cyber weapon is a priority. And if it works with us, they then upgrade it to the requirements and infrastructure and use it in this or that country,” said Demediuk.

He said Ukraine continues to monitor the activities of the group nicknamed APT28 or Fancy Bear, which the US Department of Justice and a host of independent reports have tied to Russia’s military intelligence agency, often called the GRU.

“We follow them, we have indicators with which we can identify and see them. They constantly carry out their activities here,” he said.

APNews

You Might Also Read: 

Cyberwar Vs. Traditional Conflict:

 

« IoT Is In The Dark When It Comes To ePrivacy
Dating Sites Fraudster Alert »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

The PC Support Group

The PC Support Group

A partnership with The PC Support Group delivers improved productivity, reduced costs and protects your business through exceptional IT, telecoms and cybersecurity services.

Jooble

Jooble

Jooble is a job search aggregator operating in 71 countries worldwide. We simplify the job search process by displaying active job ads from major job boards and career sites across the internet.

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

ManageEngine

ManageEngine

As the IT management division of Zoho Corporation, ManageEngine prioritizes flexible solutions that work for all businesses, regardless of size or budget.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

CIO

CIO

CIO provides technology and business leaders with insight and analysis on information technology trends

Chubb

Chubb

Chubb is the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurer. Commercial services include Cyber Risk insurance.

Agari

Agari

Agari is the Trusted Email Identity Company™, protecting brands and people from devastating phishing and socially-engineered attacks.

Awen Collective

Awen Collective

Awen Collective develops software-based tools for performing Digital Forensics, Incident Response and Cyber-Crime Investigation.

XTN Cognitive Security

XTN Cognitive Security

XTN is focused on the development of security, Fraud and Mobile Threat Prevention advanced behaviour-based solutions.

Miratech

Miratech

Miratech is a global IT services and consulting organization offering a full range of IT infrastructure solutions and services including cyber security.

Telecommunications & Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) - UAE

Telecommunications & Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) - UAE

TDRA focuses on regulating the telecommunications sector and enabling government entities in the field of smart transformation. It is responsible for the overall digital infrastructure in the UAE.

Cloud Box Technologies

Cloud Box Technologies

Cloud Box Technologies is one of the premier IT Infrastructure Solution providers in the Middle East.

C3i Hub

C3i Hub

C3i Hub aims to address the issue of cyber security of cyber physical systems in its entirety, from analysing security vulnerabilities to developing tools and technologies.

CyberUK

CyberUK

CYBERUK is the UK government’s flagship cyber security event and the authoritative event for the UK’s cyber security community.

Global Resources

Global Resources

Global Resources' planning and management capabilities support city, regional, and national utility and infrastructure management, and information systems and cyber security service delivery.

Celera Networks

Celera Networks

Celera Networks is a managed services provider specializing in cybersecurity, cloud and managed IT services.

HashDit

HashDit

HashDit products and services focus on helping build a safe ecosystem for both protocol users and smart contract developers on BNB Chain.

Anatomy IT

Anatomy IT

Anatomy IT empowers healthcare providers to deliver exceptional patient care with cutting-edge technology and cybersecurity solutions.

Blockfence

Blockfence

Blockfence are a seasoned crew versed in enterprise-grade cybersecurity and crypto, on a mission to collaboratively shape the future of Web3 security.

Ronet Cyber Security

Ronet Cyber Security

Ronet Cyber Security offers crypto forensics services for regulators, law enforcement, companies and individuals to ensure that your transactions are safe and secure.