extent of the new ransomware cyberattack is unprecedented, warns FBI

Washington – Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned that the extent of the cyberattack on Kaseya, a company from the Information Technology sector, is unprecedented. Last week, Kaseya came under a cyberattack of the ransomware category, and it is claimed that the hackers’ group REvil gang is behind this attack. US President Joe Biden has ordered the US intelligence agencies to investigate the concerned attack. This becomes a significant development as the cyberattack came within only a few weeks of the meeting between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

VSA software of the information technology company Kesaya was targeted last week. This software provides services to more than 40,000 big and small companies. It has been revealed that most of these companies have been hit by ransomware. As per the information received through various media, computer systems in at least 1,000 companies have crashed. Swedish grocery chain Coop also has been hit, and the company said that most of its stores had to remain shut.

It is being said that assessment of the extent of the cyberattack has not been completed even after three days. The warning issued by the US investigation agency FBI also points to the same thing. ‘The extent of the attack is so huge that the FBI is unable to connect with every company. FBI has warned that the actual extent and threat of the attack will be known only if the companies affected by the attack come forward.

The REvil gang, suspected to have launched the attack on Kaseya, is claimed to be connected to Russia. But the Russian spokesman said that the United States has not shared any information regarding the attack with Russia. Some media have reported that hacker groups have demanded a ransom of USD 70 million from various companies. But the reports could not be confirmed. It is said that before this, REvil had carried out an attack on the JBS company in the United States and extorted a ransom of USD 10 million from the company.

This becomes the third major ransomware cyberattack exposed in the United States in the last three months. Before this, major attacks had been launched on the Colonial Pipeline and JBS. Following these attacks, Christopher Wray, Director of the FBI, warned that the challenges posed to national security by the current cyberattacks are similar to those after the 9/11 terror attacks.