Iranian hackers are developing cyber attacks that block computer systems, disrupt city services and demand cryptocurrency ransom, according to a new report from Accenture PLC.
Over the past two years, the iNefense team, the cyber intelligence unit of Accenture PLC, has been tracking five different versions of ransomware that they say were created by hackers in Iran.
As a result, it was possible to discover software that contains a number of digital keys linking it to Iran and messages in the Farsi language. Based on the data obtained, experts believe that ransomware directly leads to the Iranian government, which oversees the creation of malware.
Meanwhile, Ransomware has become a scourge for both the public sector and business. According to cybersecurity experts, hackers use cyber attacks to cause infrastructure failure or to obtain cryptocurrency from victims.
In addition to ransomware, Accenture has tracked covert mining software. Crypto-mining programs do not hijack systems, but rather use the computing power of an infected computer to mine cryptocurrency. Such programs have already led to problems in the gas and oil fields of the Middle East.
In addition, Iranian hackers are suspected of stealing intellectual property. In reports released last month by Symantec Corp. and Palo Alto Networks Inc. describe two operations to steal confidential data that they linked to Iran.
The Iranian government denies all accusations and says it is preparing to release a national cryptocurrency.
The list of tasks of the Department of Science and Technology under the Iranian government already includes a plan to create a national cryptocurrencies. Iran remains isolated from major international payment systems Visa and Mastercard, including PayPal. Therefore, official Tehran sees in cryptocurrency an opportunity to circumvent US sanctions and take control of domestic inflation. At the same time, the Iran Blockchain Association is looking for legal ways to return 500 BTC confiscated by Washington. And the chairman of the economic committee of the Iranian parliament complains withdrawal of more than 2.5 billion US dollars by Iranian citizens abroad to buy cryptocurrency.
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