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Agence France-Presse

Russian hackers carried out a cyberattack on a major Australian healthcare company that breached the data of 9.7 million people, including the country’s prime minister, police said on Friday.
The hackers started leaking the data earlier this week after Medibank – the country’s largest health insurer – refused to pay a US$9.7 million ransom.
Australian Federal Police commissioner Reece Kershaw blamed the attack on Russia-based “cyber criminals”.
“We believe those responsible for the breach are in Russia,” he told reporters.
“Our intelligence points to a group of loosely affiliated cyber criminals who are likely responsible for past significant breaches across the world.”
‘Scummy criminals’ demand US$10 million to stop Australia health record leaks
The hackers have been drip-feeding the stolen data to a dark web forum.
The first leaks appeared to have been selected to cause maximum harm: targeting those who received treatment related to drug abuse, sexually transmitted infections, or pregnancy terminations.
Kershaw said it was a crime that could impact “millions of Australians”.
“These cyber criminals are operating like a business with affiliates and associates who are supporting the business.”
He added that Australian police would be working with Interpol and seeking the cooperation of their counterparts in Russia.
“We’ll be holding talks with Russian law enforcement about these individuals,” he said.
“Russia benefits from the intelligence sharing and data shared through Interpol and with that comes responsibilities and accountability.”

Kershaw said police knew the identities of the hackers but he would not be naming them.
Cybersecurity analysts have suggested they could be linked to Russian hacker group REvil.
REvil – an amalgam of ransomware and evil – was reportedly dismantled by Russian authorities earlier this year, after extracting a US$11 million ransom from JBS Foods, a major food conglomerate.
Australian National University cybersecurity expert Thomas Haines said tracking the hackers down was the easiest part for police.
“It’s unusual for hackers to cover their tracks so well that you don’t know where they came from,” he said.
“But there are certain areas of the world where the ability to apply any pressure is effectively zero.”
Leaked medical records tagged ‘naughty’ or ‘nice’ in huge Australia data breach
Kershaw said Australian police were taking “covert measures” to bring the hackers to justice.
“To the criminals, you know we know who you are,” he said.
“The Australian Federal Police has some significant runs on the scoreboard when it comes to bringing overseas offenders back to Australia to face the justice system.”
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil on Thursday said the “smartest and toughest” people in Australia were hunting down the hackers.
In a taunting reply posted to the dark web early on Friday morning, the hackers said: “We always keep our word.”
“We should post this data, because nobody will believe us in the future.”


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Australia

Australian police reveal Russians behind Medibank medical record hack

Australian Federal Police commissioner Reece Kershaw. Photo: AAP/dpa

Police said the Medibank data theft was a crime that could impact “millions of Australians”. Photo: AP

Indonesia hunts down Bjorka as analysts warn hacking spree could be ‘tip of the iceberg’

Indonesia has been hit by a spate of data leaks that have included top-secret documents and voter information being hacked. Photo: Shutterstock

Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Photo: Bloomberg

Indonesians’ personal data such as identity card details have been compromised in recent breaches. Photo: AFP

President Joko Widodo’s files and data of other ministers are believed to have been compromised in the recent breaches. Photo: Shutterstock

Coordinating minister Mahfud MD has assured Indonesians that state secrets remain safe. Photo: Getty Images

Indonesia’s Personal Data Protection bill contains comprehensive rules on personal information collection and storage, and various accountability measures. Photo: AFP

Indonesia’s #Bjorka embarrassment exposed its devastatingly weak cybersecurity – but a new data protection law may help

Hacker. Photo: Shutterstock

Questions about a new Indonesian data protection law’s full implementation loom large in the aftermath of the notorious “#Bjorka” hacker case. Photo: Shutterstock

Millions of Indonesians’ private data was allegedly leaked and sold on the dark web by the #Bjorka hacker or groups of hackers. Photo: Shutterstock 

Hackers label victims ‘naughty’ or ‘nice’ as medical records leaked after huge Australia data breach

People walk past a Medibank Private Ltd. branch in Sydney, Australia. The attack on Medibank exposed the data of around 9.7 million current and former customers. Photo: Bloomberg

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, himself a Medibank customer, said the attack was a “wake-up call”. Photo: AAP/dpa

Hackers demand US$10 million to stop releasing Australia health records stolen from Medibank

The hackers had previously threatened to sell the data of 1,000 high-profile Australians if Medibank did not pay an undisclosed ransom. Photo: Bloomberg

News

Asia

Australasia


Police chief Reece Kershaw said intelligence pointed to a group of cyber criminals operating like a ‘business’ and the force would work with Interpol and Moscow on the case
The hackers have been drip-feeding the stolen data to a dark web forum after the private insurer refused to pay ransom



Police chief Reece Kershaw said intelligence pointed to a group of cyber criminals operating like a ‘business’ and the force would work with Interpol and Moscow on the case.


Russia

Computer hackers

Cybersecurity

Australian police reveal Russians behind Medibank medical record hack

Police chief Reece Kershaw said intelligence pointed to a group of cyber criminals operating like a ‘business’ and the force would work with Interpol and Moscow on the case The hackers have been drip-feeding the stolen data to a dark web forum after the private insurer refused to pay ransom

Police chief Reece Kershaw said intelligence pointed to a group of cyber criminals operating like a ‘business’ and the force would work with Interpol and Moscow on the case

The hackers have been drip-feeding the stolen data to a dark web forum after the private insurer refused to pay ransom