The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) counted more than 100 cyberattacks on government websites

The SBU has neutralized 103 cyberattacks on information resources of state authorities since the beginning of the year.

According to the Agency, since March, a significant number of attacks take place against agencies that ensure the fight against coronavirus. The SBU reported that hackers send emails with malicious software code to the mailboxes of state institutions.

“Hacker attacks come from Russian intelligence agencies, which are trying to gain remote access to the computers of Ukrainian government agencies. Then they plan to distort or destroy data, distribute fakes allegedly on behalf of government agencies, as well as discredit the actions of the Ukrainian authorities,” the SBU said, accusing Russia of carrying out coronavirus cyberattacks.

The Department stressed that in January-March, the work of almost two thousand sites that the hackers used to carry out the attacks was stopped. 117 criminal cases were opened. The SBU also sent recommendations to state agencies on compliance with information security.

Earlier, the head of the SBU, Ivan Bakanov, made a proposal to the Council of National Security and Defense of Ukraine to extend sanctions against Odnoklassniki and Vkontakte social networks, as well as other Russian services and programs for another three years.

It is noted that cyber specialists of the SBU analyzed that during the period of sanctions, the number of Ukrainian users in these social networks has decreased by 3 times. And this significantly narrowed down the target audience, to which the information operations of the Russian special services are directed.

“Fakes in countries of established democracy are equated to weapons of mass destruction. A hybrid war continues against Ukraine, and we continue to resist information attacks from the Russian Federation. Therefore, it makes sense to continue the sanctions: this will protect our citizens from fakes and manipulations, and, accordingly, we will preserve the security of the state,” said Mr. Bakanov.

It is worth noting that the sites of the Russian antivirus companies Kaspersky Lab and Doctor Web were among the sanctions list.