The hackers, who struck on Friday, hijacked widely-used tech management software from Miami-based supplier, Kaseya….reports Asian Lite News
President Joe Biden on Saturday directed US intelligence agencies to investigate a cyberattack that has affected hundreds of American businesses.
The hackers, who struck on Friday, hijacked widely-used tech management software from Miami-based supplier, Kaseya.
The hackers pushed a malicious update, which spread worldwide on Saturday and has quickly become one of the largest ransomware attacks in history.
While on tour to promote a vaccination program, Biden was asked if the hack was linked to Russia.
“First of all, we’re not sure who it is for certain. Number one. And what I did, I’ve directed the full resources of the government to assist in a response… The fact is that the director of the intelligence community gave me a deep dive on what’s happened and I’ll know better tomorrow. And if it is either or the knowledge of or the consequence of Russia, then I told Putin, we will respond.”
Last month, the FBI blamed Russia-linked ransomware gang, REvil, for hacking an American meatpacking company.
One security firm, Huntress Labs, believes the same group is to blame for the latest attack.
The firm said it was tracking the eight service providers used to infect some 200 clients.
Meanwhile, Kaseya also launched its own supply chain investigation, with the help of top U.S. cyber officials.
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Biden urged Russian President Vladimir Putin last month to crack down on cyber hacks coming from his country and warned of consequences if they continued.
Last month US officials ratcheted up pressure on companies and foreign adversaries to fight cybercriminals, and said President Joe Biden is considering all options, including a military response, to counter the growing threat.
The Biden administration is looking at “all of the options,” to defend the country against ransomware criminals, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in an interview on Sunday, when asked if military action was being considered.
Raimondo did not detail what those options could look like, but said the topic will be on the agenda when the president meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin this month. The rising threat of cyberattacks has pushed the Biden administration into a more aggressive stance against Russia, which is thought to be harboring some of the perpetrators.
“We’re not taking anything off the table as we think about possible repercussions, consequences or retaliation,” Raimondo said.
In June, the world’s largest meatpacker was targeted by cybercriminals and in May, the largest fuel pipeline in the United States was attacked, stoking fears over supply disruptions of food and fuel.
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