Petya ransomware
"Most destructive and expensive cyberattack in history"
The ransomware 'Petya' paralyzed countless companies in June 2017. The USA and the UK have now officially named Russia as the perpetrator, who deliberately tried to attack Ukraine.
After 'Wannacry', 'Petya' (also known as 'NotPetya' by some security companies) was one of the most sensational cyberattacks last year. Numerous large companies also fell victim to it, including container giant Maersk, which estimated losses of 200 to 300 million US dollars. The attack began in Ukraine, but quickly spread to the rest of the world. According to security researchers, the traces led to Russia. It was soon speculated that those behind the attack were not interested in extorting money, but only in causing maximum damage - the malware's distribution mechanism was too sophisticated, the components for paying and unlocking data too amateurish.
Even back then, there were many indications of a state-coordinated attack, but no one was officially accused - until now. In mid-February 2018, the White House published a statement claiming that the Russian military had launched the "most destructive and costly cyberattack in history" with Petya. It was part of the Kremlin's efforts to destabilize Ukraine and caused billions of dollars in damage worldwide. "It was a reckless and indiscriminate cyberattack that will have international consequences," the White House said.
The British government has joined in. It said it had decided to hold Russia publicly responsible for the incident to show that it would not tolerate malicious cyber activity. The attack demonstrates Russia's ongoing violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. "The UK identifies, tracks and responds to malicious cyber activity, regardless of where it comes from," the Foreign Office threatens. It continues: "The Kremlin has positioned Russia directly against the West, but it doesn't have to be this way. We call on Russia to behave like a responsible member of the international community instead of undermining it."
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