World

CYBER ATTACK: The risk ransomware can pose to critical national industrial infrastructure

Published

1 year ago

May 11, 2021

In the wake of a cyberattack that took one of America’s most important gas and diesel pipelines offline, energy CEOs and government organisations are being urged to step up their game.

Even though… the pipeline hackers ‘didn’t mean to create problems’

This is the worst cyberattack on US infrastructure in history and probably the most disruptive too.

A criminal group from Russia who call themselves the ‘Darkside” is believed to be behind the ransomeware cyberattack, that shut down Colonial pipeline’s entire network.

Darkside hacking group

Darkside is a unique yet professional hacking group. They run their ransomware as a service business. The FBI released a statement that Darkside (or their client) was involved in the most recent hack in Colonial Pipeline.

Darkside claims to donate a portion of their bounty to charity and say they don’t want to cause problems for society. Recently, they released a statement saying they’re apolitical.

Never meant to cause chaos?

“We do not participate in geopolitics, do not need to tie us with a defined government and look for… our motives,” the group said.

The group also indicated it had not been aware that Colonial was being targeted by one of its affiliates, saying: “From today, we introduce moderation and check each company that our partners want to encrypt to avoid social consequences in the future.”

The FBI has been tracking this group for the past 7 months, but In robin-hood style, the group says that it never meant to cause chaos.

They only every wanted money… in a sign that the original plan went wrong.

The pipeline carries nearly half the fuel consumed along the U.S. East Coast.

American Airlines is the first U.S. airline to report an impact from the attack, requiring passengers to change planes, for some long-haul flights across the country.

Homeland security says investigations are ongoing.

The attack involved almost 100 gigabytes of data and forced the US government to declare a state of emergency.

Energy CEO’s and government organisations are being urged to step up their game…and review their security protocols.

This is definitely a wake-up call to corporate giants, not only in America, but around the world too.

The recent cyber attack on the US’ largest fuel pipeline has shown how we are all vulnerable to hackers.

Related Topics:Featured HACKING GROUP PIPELINE trending

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World

Four dead in Russian military plane crash

Published

17 hours ago

June 24, 2022

Costa Haritos

Four people have been killed after a Russian military plane suffered an engine malfunction

The plane reportedly crashed in the city of Ryazan, which is located southeast of Moscow.

It’s believed five others are also injured. However, it is unclear how many were on board.

The Ilyushin IL-76 military cargo plane is a long-range aircraft, which can reportedly carry over 100 troops.

An Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft, which is similar to the one involved in the incident.

Local authorities say the plane suffered a malfunction while on a training flight.

Russia’s Defence Minister is yet to give any further details on the crash, or about the victims.

World

Double election defeat for UK Conservatives

Published

18 hours ago

June 24, 2022

Costa Haritos

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservatives have suffered defeat in two parliamentary by-elections

UK Conservatives have lost two crucial seats in England, which could spark concerns about Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s future.

The centrist Liberal Democrat party won the seats of Tiverton and Honiton.

The seats are in a Conservative part of south-west England, where a majority of 24,000 has been overturned.

The Liberal Democrats say it is their biggest ever majority turn around at a parliamentary by election.

“Tonight, the people of Tiverton and Honiton have spoken for Britain. They’ve sent a loud and clear message: It’s time for Boris Johnson to go, and go now.”
winning candidate Richard Foord

The losses have renewed calls for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resign after a police investigation into gatherings at his Downing Street offices.

Johnson recently survived a vote of no-confidence, which secured his term as Prime Minister for another 12 months.

It also follows the Conservatives winning a landslide majority in three decades during the last national election.

World

Protestors disrupt Chinese ambassador’s speech in Sydney

Published

18 hours ago

June 24, 2022

Costa Haritos

Protesters are causing disruptions during an address by China’s Ambassador to Australia

Xiao Qian is in Sydney, where is he speaking about how to improve ties between the two countries.

One protester described Mr Xiao as a “representative of a dictatorship” and accused the Chinese Government of committing genocide against Uyghur Muslims.

Others were heard shouting “Free Tibet”, and another was asked to leave the venue prior to the event because he was dressed in a military costume.

The speech was widely seen as an attempt to ease relations between the two countries.

China has put trade sanctions on Australia, while a recent encounter took place between a Chinese fighter jet and an Australian maritime aircraft over the South China Sea.

Security guards reportedly ushered the protesters.