I couldn't believe my eyes when I read this story. A
Ukrainian woman is accused of being a support system for
Russian cybercriminal organisations that have hurt
Computer Systems around the world, and it is so confusing! Let me try to help.
What Is Going On?
According to the
U.S. Department of Justice,
Victoria Eduardovna Dubranova,
33, of
Ukraine, has assisted cybercriminal organisations that are thought to be linked to the
Russian Government by carrying out cyber-attacks against several Computer Systems that people utilize in their daily life. The cyber-attacks the hacker is connected with are not just for fun but rather because she has been supporting these hackers.
The hacker is accused of working with two known groups:
•
NoName057(16) is a group that regularly attacks on websites and takes them down
•
CyberArmyofRussia_Reborn, is another group that is assumed to operate under the
Russian military objectives
After the U.S. claimed that she supported these two cyber-crime groups, she was extradited to the
United States charged with these allegations.
Why Do People Care About This Case
The alleged attacks targeted several essential services, including:
- Water Supply Systems
- Websites Associated with Elections
- Food and Meat Companies
These types of attacks could have significant effects in the "real world" and not just take down websites. For example, think of what would happen if a cyberattack caused the loss of safe drinking water or the inability to use any of the services associated with safe drinking water. That is a frightening thought!
If the court finds the defendant guilty, she will likely receive a long sentence. This indicates how serious governments now consider cybercrime to be.
What Comes Next?
The defendant claims to be innocent of all charges. Therefore, there is still much work to do before this case is resolved. The defendant's trial is likely to take place in the year
2026.
I believe this story demonstrates that hacking is no longer a computer issue. But it affects all nations, all people, and everyone on the planet. Therefore, the next time you read an article regarding a
cyberattack, consider whether or not it could affect you.