Russian Cyber Warfare: Protect Yourself from Cyber Attack!
Russian cyber warfare might be a military method in the Russia-Ukraine war. When the Russia-Ukraine war broke out, most experts thought cyberattacks could be one of Russia’s most powerful weapons. A weapon that they can use to invade Ukraine’s most valuable information and use it against them. And as Russia has formidable cyber capabilities, why shouldn’t they use it?
Most experts thought the Russian government would attempt to disrupt Ukrainian networks by employing methods such as phishing and denial-of-service attacks, as well as exploiting software vulnerabilities. However, it is unclear why the cyber front has not significantly contributed to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It’s possible that Ukrainian cyber security turned out to be much more secure than initially believed.
In the Russian cyber warfare, much more so than in other facets of the Russian security apparatus, the political component has always been crucial. Thus, it is not surprising that the command-and-control organisation overseeing Russian cyber activities has changed significantly over time.
The list of Russian cybercriminals is extensive and convoluted. It encompasses traditional security services, the military, and the highest political echelons where decisions are made, as well as commercial businesses, both legal and illegal. In the last six years, there has been a dramatic change in the dynamics between these cyber criminals.
But no one was still doubting the power of Russia and we all have seen how the cyber attacks from Russia against Ukraine have affected not only Ukraine itself but also different parts of the world. Since the start of the war, within these months, significant cyber activity has been observed in Ukraine, with Russia displaying a persistent desire to take down or interfere with Ukrainian military and governmental networks.
Different parts of the world also include the UK, and the UK government claimed Russia was responsible for a cyberattack on a major communications firm just before the invasion, which had an impact on wind farms and internet users in central Europe. Nevertheless, after the war began, the UK organisation have not gone through any significant cyber attacks but that could just mean that the cyber defences of the UK are too good against cyber attacks.
But the question remains, for how long can we stop these cyber attacks? As a response to this potentially lengthy period of increased cyber threat from Russia, organisations and people were instructed to maintain a reinforced cyber posture.
Yes, these prolonged periods of high strain put on cyber security teams increase the risk of ill health and even burnout. But it is something that needs to be done. It is upon each individual to make sure we come out of this safely.
To protect you from Russian cyber warfare, here are a list of things you should do:
Stay Alert At All Times
Most scams will either involve fake donations to help the war, politically oriented robocalls or trying to get you involved in cryptocurrency or NFTs. So when an email comes to you, never open it from a sender you don’t know, and be suspicious of any attachments that have been forwarded to you by someone you do know. Always enter the URL manually rather than clicking on a link or file.
Keep Your Anti-Virus Software Up-to-Date
The majority of antivirus programmes can be configured to update automatically. That will warn you of websites and downloads that might be suspect, as well as help stop hackers from accessing your computer, laptop, or smartphone. As cyber criminals will try to find new advanced ways to hack your devices, you should always keep your anti-virus software updated to ensure you also keep up with them.
Use Trusted Wi-Fi Service Providers
Free Wi-Fi may seem convenient, but it may also be used by criminals to eavesdrop on your online chats. Make sure the Wi-Fi connection you intend to use is owned by a company you know and trust before connecting to it, like at a coffee shop or store. Use your personal Wi-Fi hotspot or your smartphone’s network connection if you’re unsure.
Always Choose a Strong Password
Your passwords should be between 12 and 15 characters long, with special characters or symbols put at key strategic points. Each of your online accounts needs a unique password. Use a trustworthy password manager, such as those offered by Apple, Google, or Microsoft, to assist in keeping track of them all. And make sure the passwords are not predictable. This is a rookie mistake that cyber criminals love to feed on!
Check Your Account/Credit
Set up notifications through your bank or a banking app to watch your credit card transactions and notify you of account activity. Regularly check your accounts for any suspicious behaviour or illegal expenditures. Also, keeping cash in hand is a very good idea and always try to use cash for small purchases. The less number of times you use your account, the harder it gets to fool you into something.
Keep Your Personal Things Personal
It is best to keep your personal things personal. I mean, there is a reason why it is called personal things in the first place. So, when there is any request for information like your date of birth, Social Security number, or bank account, handle the situation with extreme caution.
Conclusion
In an ideal world, we all would love to be free from cyber attacks and use the internet in whichever way we want. Unfortunately, it is not an ideal world and we should act accordingly. It is up to each of us to make sure we win the cyber attack against Russia. So keep yourself protected at all times and it is hopefully just a matter of days before the war gets over!
