Russian-based meat producer and distributor Miratorg Agribusiness Holding confirmed that it was the target of a cyberattack. According to BleepingComputer, Russian federal veterinary and phytosanitary supervision service Rosselkhoznadzor explained that information systems of a number of Miratog’s subsidiaries were encrypted with BitLocker. According to Rosselkhoznadzor, the most likely point of compromise is VetIS, the state information system used by companies in the field of veterinary medicine, which suggests this was a supply chain attack. Miratog is working towards restoring the normal functioning of its business.
Ukraine conflict
Anonymous hacks Nestlè and leaks 10 GB of data
The hacking group Anonymous announced that it had leaked 10 GB of data belonging to Nestlé as part of its actions against Western companies that are still operating in Russia.
‘The Anonymous collective has leaked the database of the largest food company in the world, Nestlé,’ the group tweeted, further explaining that the material supplied contained 10GB of emails, passwords, and client information.The attack comes after the group urged all companies that are still operating in Russia to stop operations or be targeted by the group.
Euronews blocked in Russia
Russia’s telecoms watchdog Roskomnadzor blocked access to all Euronews materials at the request of the Russian prosecutor general’s office.
‘The foreign media outlet has systematically posted unreliable and publicly significant information on a special military operation being carried out by the Russian Armed Forces, as well as information containing calls for people to participate in mass (public) events held in violation of the regulations established in the Russian Federation,’ Roskomnadzor stated.
State Duma not introducing liability for the use of VPN by Russians
The State Duma is not working on a legislative initiative to restrict the use of VPN services to access Instagram and Facebook which are blocked in Russia, clarified Alexander Khinshtein, the head of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technology, and Communications. Interfax quotes Khinshtein as stating that introducing liability for the use of VPNs by Russian citizens is hopeless. Khinshtein also stated that the legislator is willing to debate a different point of view with the government.
Russia is, however, blocking VPN services, and according to Khinshtein’s prior statement, dozens of VPN services have already been disabled.
State Duma endorses amendments on fines for fakes about Russian state bodies
The State Duma (the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia) adopted amendments to the legislation on liability for false information about the work of Russian state bodies.
For ‘public dissemination of knowingly false information under the guise of reliable reports, which is aimed at discrediting the performance of the powers by Russian state bodies outside the Russian Federation’ offenders will pay a fine of 700,000 to 1.5 million rubles or serve a prison term of up to 3 years.
For committing the same offence but ‘with the abuse of power, or by a group of persons, or “by artificially producing prosecutorial evidence,” or “for personal gain,” or “for reasons of political, ideological, racial, ethnic, or religious hatred or enmity,”’ offenders will pay a fine from 3 to 5 million rubles or serve a prison term of 5-10 years.
If any of these offences result in grave consequences, offenders would serve a prison term of 15 years.
Russia announces domestic apps marketplace
Russia will create a marketplace for domestic apps on the Android platform, stated Maksut Shadayev, Russia’s Minister of Digital Development. The proposal for the creation of the marketplace comes after several retailers and services in Russia ceased operations as a result of the sanctions. The aim is to minimise risks for individuals who possess devices that utilise this operating system. Risks remain for iOS users, and Shadayev noted the government is in contact with Apple on this issue. ‘Therefore, we’re going to hope that iPhones won’t turn into bricks here,’ Shadayev stated.
Russian media prohibited from displaying Meta, Facebook, Instagram logos
Russian media should not display the logos of Meta Platforms and its social networks Facebook and Instagram, Russia’s telecommunications watchdog Roskomnadzor stated for TASS. Roskomnadzor further noted that Russian media must label Meta as a banned organisation. Facebook and Instagram will be removed from the register of social networks in Russia, while Meta will be excluded from the list of foreign entities operating on the internet.
Earlier in the day, Moscow’s Tverskoy District Court recognised the activities of Facebook and Instagram as extremist and banned the operations of their parent company, Meta Platforms, in Russia.
USA warns businesses of possible Russian cyberattacks
US President Biden warned American business leaders of possible Russian cyberattacks in response to US sanctions on Russia. He advised American businesses to urgently strengthen their companies’ cyber defences, which Biden suggested is their patriotic duty. Biden noted that ‘The magnitude of Russia’s cyber capacity is fairly consequential and it’s coming.’ He also stated that ‘one of the tools [Putin’s] most likely to use, in my view – in our view – is cyber attacks. They have a very sophisticated cyber capability,’ and continued by arguing, ‘The point is that he has the capability. He hasn’t used it yet, but it’s part of his playbook.’
Earlier on Monday, the Biden administration issued a warning about Russian malicious cyber activity because of evolving threat intelligence that Russia is exploring options for cyberattacks against the USA and that those attacks might target critical infrastructure. Dmitry Peskov, press secretary to the president of Russia, responded to the allegations regarding potential Russian cyberattacks: ‘The Russian Federation, unlike many Western countries, including the United States, does not engage in banditry at the state level.’
Anonymous urges companies to stop operations in Russia
The Anonymous hacker group urged all companies which are still operating in Russia to stop operations in the country, or be targeted by the group. The group tweeted from one of their Twitter accounts: ‘Press Release: We call on all companies that continue to operate in Russia by paying taxes to the budget of the Kremlin’s criminal regime: Pull out of Russia! We give you 48 hours to reflect and withdraw from Russia or else you will be under our target! #Anonymous #OpRussia’. Accompanying the message was a graphic depicting the logos of dozens of big corporations, arranged to spell the word ‘Russia’.
RT UK licence revoked
The UK’s communications regulator Ofcom has revoked the broadcasting licence of the Russian state television RT in Britain, effective immediately.
‘We have withdrawn RT’s licence to broadcast in the UK with immediate effect. We do not believe RT is entitled to hold the UK licence and do not think it can be a responsible broadcaster,’ Ofcom said in a tweet.