Expert: Hacker theft in Russia rises 44% to 6 bln rbl in ‘15–16

MOSCOW, Oct 13 (PRIME) -- The volume of hacker thefts in Russia soared 44% on the year to 5.526 billion rubles in the 2015–2016 financial year, ended on March 31, cybersecurity company Group-IB said Thursday in a report.

Banks were the hardest hit in the reported period with losses quadrupling to 2.5 billion rubles with hacker gang Buhtrap steeling two thirds of the amount. Stealing in online banking from companies decreased 50% to 956.16 million rubles.

“Android Trojan viruses combine tools for espionage and stealing, and almost all active mobile Trojan viruses in Russia have functions to catch SMS. It opens access to systems of two-factor authentication, for example, cloud technologies, e-mail, corporate portals, and through them to all personal and confidential information,” the report read.

Cash withdrawals by hackers rocketed 44% in the reported period to 1.715 billion rubles.

Group-IB expects a greater number of attacks on industrial and critical infrastructure facilities with possible damages up to human victims. Perpetrators will be mainly interested in power companies, airports, chemical plants and transport nodes. Banks will also remain in hackers’ focus.

(62.5892 rubles – U.S. $1)

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