Google’s Threat Analysis Group and Mandiant have revealed that cyber attacks by Russia against Ukraine have surged by 250% in 2022, with a focus on the government and military, infrastructure, utilities, public services, and media. Six unique wiper strains were reportedly deployed, indicating a willingness to forgo persistent access, while phishing attacks aimed at NATO countries surged by 300%. The report suggests that the Eastern European cybercriminal ecosystem is undergoing a “notable shift” that blurs the lines between financially motivated actors and state-sponsored attackers.
