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Will Crisis in Ukraine Unfold on the Internet With Twitter Again Playing a Critical Role In Global Affairs?

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck|March 6, 2014

Will Crisis in Ukraine Unfold on the Internet With Twitter Again Playing a Critical Role In Global Affairs?

Businesses around the world are closely monitoring the escalating crisis in the Ukraine. With both the United States and Russia threatening economic sanctions, including trade bans and asset freezes, the tension poses a real threat to companies with business interests in the region as well as to global markets.

While much of mainstream media coverage has focused on Russia’s incursion into the Crimea region of the Ukraine, a less obvious battle is unfolding on the Internet. Cyberattacks are on the rise.

Unlike traditional military action, cyber activity can be conducted under the radar, as it is often difficult to track and link back to its source. So far, both sides of the conflict have waged allegations of tampering against the other.

The Ukraine Security Service confirmed that the country’s telecommunications system has come under attack with “equipment installed in Russian-controlled Crimea used to interfere with the mobile phones of members of parliament.”

As The New York Times reports, hackers are also launching distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against news organizations on both sides of the conflict. Hackers have also penetrated and defaced at least one website. In Russia, RT.com fell victim to hackers who changed the word “Russians” to “Nazis” on several news articles.

The cyberattacks have not yet been linked conclusively to official government action. However, Russia is no stranger to the tactic. Prior to its 2008 invasion into Georgia, Russia flooded the country’s servers with DDoS attacks, essentially forcing the Georgians offline.

So far, the cyberattacks have been minor and contained to the region. However, should the situation escalate, Russia may turn its attention to Western targets who are perceived to support the Ukraine, including media outlets.

If you have any questions about this post or would like to discuss the issues involved, please contact me, Cyber Jurist Fernando Pinguelo, or the Scarinci Hollenbeck attorney with whom you work. To learn more about data privacy and security, visit eWhiteHouseWatch.

Will Crisis in Ukraine Unfold on the Internet With Twitter Again Playing a Critical Role In Global Affairs?

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck

Businesses around the world are closely monitoring the escalating crisis in the Ukraine. With both the United States and Russia threatening economic sanctions, including trade bans and asset freezes, the tension poses a real threat to companies with business interests in the region as well as to global markets.

While much of mainstream media coverage has focused on Russia’s incursion into the Crimea region of the Ukraine, a less obvious battle is unfolding on the Internet. Cyberattacks are on the rise.

Unlike traditional military action, cyber activity can be conducted under the radar, as it is often difficult to track and link back to its source. So far, both sides of the conflict have waged allegations of tampering against the other.

The Ukraine Security Service confirmed that the country’s telecommunications system has come under attack with “equipment installed in Russian-controlled Crimea used to interfere with the mobile phones of members of parliament.”

As The New York Times reports, hackers are also launching distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against news organizations on both sides of the conflict. Hackers have also penetrated and defaced at least one website. In Russia, RT.com fell victim to hackers who changed the word “Russians” to “Nazis” on several news articles.

The cyberattacks have not yet been linked conclusively to official government action. However, Russia is no stranger to the tactic. Prior to its 2008 invasion into Georgia, Russia flooded the country’s servers with DDoS attacks, essentially forcing the Georgians offline.

So far, the cyberattacks have been minor and contained to the region. However, should the situation escalate, Russia may turn its attention to Western targets who are perceived to support the Ukraine, including media outlets.

If you have any questions about this post or would like to discuss the issues involved, please contact me, Cyber Jurist Fernando Pinguelo, or the Scarinci Hollenbeck attorney with whom you work. To learn more about data privacy and security, visit eWhiteHouseWatch.

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