Malware Attacks On 500K Routers Reportedly In Preparation For Massive Russian Campaign

Malware attacks have been on the rise both in terms of frequency and the scope of damage done, and in the most recent case, Russia might be involved. Over 500,000 routers and storage devices have been hit by a sophisticated malware outbreak that is spread across 54 countries. According to Ukraine officials, this might be in preparation for a major attack that Russia is going to launch in the near future.

These attacks were apparently perpetrated by hackers according to some of the biggest cybersecurity firms in the world, Reuters reports. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is currently looking into the incident, which targeted specific router brands that would then cut off internet access to those who are using them.

While users have been encouraged to install security updates if they haven’t done so already, Ukraine is warning the world to prepare for an even bigger threat. The country’s state security service SBU claims that Russia is currently preparing to launch a large-scale cyber attack before the football final of the Champions League, which set for Saturday.

“Security Service experts believe the infection of hardware on the territory of Ukraine is preparation for another act of cyber-aggression by the Russian Federation aimed at destabilizing the situation during the Champions League final,” the security service announced.

These warnings echo what intelligence agencies from the UK and US have been saying for over a month, CNET reports. Targeting routers makes a lot of sense since it would basically provide hackers with unprecedented web activity access and allow them to steal things like passwords.

It would not be overstating things to say that this is just the beginning. Cybersecurity firms and experts are largely in agreement that this particular incident shows all the signs of preparation for an impending attack that is likely to be larger and more pervasive than the one that has just occurred.