Russia must act against ransomware, US official says

In ransomware attacks, hackers encrypt a victim’s files and then demand payment to unlock them. Reported ransomware payments in the US reached US$590mil (RM2.4bil) in the first half of 2021, according to government figures. — 123rf

The Russian government has a "responsibility to act” against ransomware hackers inside its borders, including bringing to justice a Russian hacker accused of launching high-profile cyberattacks against major companies, a senior US official said.

"If the Russian government will not take action, we’re not going to sit around and be waiting,” Robert Silvers, the under secretary for strategy, policy and plans at the Department of Homeland Security, said in an interview with Bloomberg News. "We’re going to take action.”