Trading Century
  • Trading News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
  • Finance
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Stock
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Email Whitelisting
  • Contact
Subscribe
Trading Century
Trading Century
  • Trading News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
  • Finance
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Stock
  • Politics
  • Stock
  • Trading News

US FBI says it disrupted Russian hackers

  • April 7, 2022
PIXABAY

WASHINGTON — The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has wrested control of thousands of routers and firewall appliances away from Russian military hackers by hijacking the same infrastructure Moscow’s spies were using to communicate with the devices, US officials said on Wednesday. 

An unsealed redacted affidavit described the unusual operation as a pre-emptive move to stop Russian hackers from mobilizing the compromised devices into a “botnet” — a network of hacked computers that can bombard other servers with rogue traffic. 

“Fortunately, we were able to disrupt this botnet before it could be used,” US Attorney General Merrick Garland said. 

The Russian Embassy in Washington did not immediately return an email seeking comment. 

The targeted botnet was controlled through malware called Cyclops Blink, which US and UK cyberdefense agencies had publicly attributed in late February to “Sandworm,” allegedly one of the Russian military intelligence service’s hacking teams that has repeatedly been accused of carrying out cyberattacks. 

Cyclops Blink was designed to hijack devices made by WatchGuard Technologies Inc. and ASUSTeK Computer Inc., according to research by private cybersecurity firms. It provides Russian services with access to those compromised systems, offering the ability to remotely exfiltrate or delete data or turn the devices against a third party. 

Watchguard issued a statement confirming it worked with the US Justice Department to disrupt the botnet but did not disclose the number of devices affected — saying only that they represented “less than 1 percent of WatchGuard appliances.” 

AsusTek, better known as Asus, did not immediately return messages seeking comment. 

FBI Director Chris Wray told reporters the FBI, with court approval, secretly reached into thousands of routers and firewall appliances to delete the malware and reconfigure the devices. 

“We removed malware from devices used by thousands of mostly small businesses for network security all over the world,” Mr. Wray said. “We shut the door the Russians had used to get into them.” 

The affidavit noted that US officials launched an awareness campaign “to inform owners of WatchGuard devices of the steps they should take to remediate infections or vulnerabilities” and yet less than half the devices had been fixed to expel the hackers. 

The affidavit noted that the FBI had carried out its work in cooperation with WatchGuard. 

The announcement came amid a flurry of new sanctions announced against Russian banks and elites, days after grim images emerged of the bodies of civilians shot at close range in the town of Bucha. 

Russia says its “special military operation” is aimed at demilitarizing and “denazifying” Ukraine, and it has denied targeting civilians. — Sarah N. Lynch/Reuters

Previous Article
  • Politics
  • Stock
  • Trading News

Meta removes Facebook accounts to tackle misinformation ahead of Philippines polls

  • April 7, 2022
View Post
Next Article
  • Politics
  • Stock
  • Trading News

Britain plans nuclear power, offshore wind to boost energy independence

  • April 7, 2022
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Trading News

Waller Offers Common Sense View on Financial Risks of Climate Change

  • May 29, 2023
View Post
  • Trading News

Ga. Reps Slice Possible Lifeline for Kids in Failing Schools

  • April 5, 2023
View Post
  • Trading News

Silicon Valley Bank: Mismanagement Is Not an Excuse for Inefficient Regulation

  • April 3, 2023
View Post
  • Trading News

Fetterman released from inpatient treatment for depression

  • April 1, 2023
View Post
  • Trading News

Fetterman released from inpatient treatment for depression

  • April 1, 2023
View Post
  • Trading News

Fetterman released from inpatient treatment for depression

  • April 1, 2023
View Post
  • Trading News

Fetterman released from inpatient treatment for depression

  • April 1, 2023
View Post
  • Trading News

Fetterman released from inpatient treatment for depression

  • April 1, 2023
Get the daily email that makes reading the news actually enjoyable. Stay informed and entertained, for free.


    Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!



    If you want to delve into the USA business updates and investors daily routine,
    go to our partner project Daily Business Investor.

    TradingCentury.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice.

    Copyright © 2023 Trading Century. All Rights Reserved.

    The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Email Whitelisting
    • Contact
    Trading Century
    Your daily news source covering investing ideas, market stocks, business, retirement tips from Wall St. to Silicon Valley.

    Input your search keywords and press Enter.