Russian hackers gain access to Ukrainian computers via torrent files

The State Service of Special Communications and Protection of Ukraine informs that hackers of the terrorist state are constantly looking for new ways to gain illegal access to databases of organizations and confidential information of ordinary Ukrainians.

Experts of the Governmental Computer Emergency Response Team CERT-UA warn that the use of unlicensed (pirated) software is becoming increasingly dangerous. The enemy usually distributes such software through Ukrainian torrents.

The agency emphasizes that even a single «cracked» program from the MS Office suite or a standard computer game (solitaire, scarf, sapper, etc.) installed on one of the corporate computers of organizations and companies can help hackers of a terrorist state gain access to confidential information.

Experts suggest that such cyberattacks will continue to grow. More and more new users will appear on Ukrainian torrent trackers and distribute dangerous pirated software.

The motivation of hackers can vary: from cyber espionage and destructive actions to stealing bank card data or infecting gadgets with ransomware. There is a way out — use licensed software from official manufacturers, including antiviruses, VPNs, and office suites.

At the end of March, Ukrainian cyber police exposed an international criminal group whose members robbed users of UAH 160 million through phishing sites. The fraudsters created more than 100 phishing websites targeting European users.

The web resources offered customers various goods at prices below market prices. The bank card information that customers entered on phishing sites to pay for their orders was automatically obtained by the criminals. Later, they misappropriated money from their accounts.