Christopher Bing

(Reuters) – A Russian-based group of cybercriminals, which is known for using ransomware in order to extort billions of dollars from U.S. companies and European businesses, vowed to attack the Kremlin if it responds to Russia’s invasion.

According to a blog, Conti announced its support for President Vladimir Putin and stated that they were expressing their “full support”. In the worst attack on an European state since World War Two, Russia invaded Ukraine’s neighboring country from the south, east, and north.

Conti posted that anyone would organize a cyberattack on Russia and any other war activities against Russia.

In the lead-up and after the Russian invasion, Ukraine was ravaged by cyber intrusions as well denial-of service attacks.

Reuters published Thursday’s report that the Ukrainian government had asked hackers underground for help to defend critical infrastructures and spy on Russian soldiers.

Kimberly Goody is a Director at U.S. cybersecurity firm Mandiant.

According to her, the Kremlin was able to benefit in the past due its relations with cybercriminals.

Brett Callow, a threat analyst at New Zealand-based cybersecurity company Emsisoft, noted that Conti has made “big and outrageous” claims before. However, he advised U.S. businesses to keep an eye on cyber defenses because cyberattacks in Ukraine can spread outwards.

Since then, ransomware attacks on numerous European and U.S. companies were first detected by Conti in 2019.

Conti hackers infiltrated networks and encrypted data. They then demanded payment for access restoration. Among the victims were a federal court in Louisiana and a New Mexico hospital, according to research https://blog.emsisoft.com/en/37866/ransomware-profile-conti by Emsisoft.

The FBI claimed Conti is responsible for attacking 16 U.S. emergency and medical networks. Reuters reported previously.