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Australian cyber-spies recently shared their unconventional method for taking down a multi-million-dollar business operated by questionable Russians who were hoarding stolen data. They revealed that a night of heavy drinking in a rundown bar played a significant role in their successful operation.
It wasn’t just any old data, mind you.
ZServers is just one of ASD’s offensive cyber targets.
“Over the last 12 months, our operators have been busy on a variety of bulletproof hosters,” Bradshaw said.
The cyber-spies stated, “We have erased approximately 250 terabytes of data stolen from Australian, American, British, and global networks.” This action aimed to protect victims worldwide from the impact of these cyber crimes.
Following a meticulous two-and-a-half year operation by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), the identities of the five Russians involved and their company were exposed. As a result, they faced severe international sanctions for their illicit activities.
They risk arrest if they travel abroad and their ability to operate online has been significantly impaired.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said the ability to destroy stolen data on ZServers’ systems was critical because it prevented its proliferation, its marketing and being monetised on the black market.
“These actors market themselves on the basis of being both anonymous and bulletproof, and they are neither,” Marles said.
“Alexander Bolshakov is now out in the public along with his four associates, and everyone now knows that ZServers is the enabler for the attacks.
“That’s because of the incredible work that’s been done by ASD, but in combination with our partners at NSA in America and the GCHQ in the UK.”
Fuller said cybercriminals would be surprised by ASD’s extraordinary skills.
Asked if she believes the Russians know they’ve been caught, she said: “I reckon they know now, and I’m looking forward to their reaction.”
