The United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reports a significant surge in cyberattacks in Malaysia.
To address this growing threat, FBI director Christopher Wray visited Malaysia recently to enhance cybersecurity partnerships and strengthen the collaboration between the bureau and local law enforcement and security agencies, marking a crucial milestone as Wray becomes the first FBI director to visit the country since 2002, according to NST.
The FBI notes a significant increase in cyber threats in Malaysia, driven by economically motivated cybercriminals and rogue nation-state actors seeking strategic and economic gains.
China, with its extensive hacking program, stands out as a major threat, causing indiscriminate damage on a large scale. The FBI employs a three-part approach to counter cyber threats: targeting criminal actors, seizing hackers’ money (cryptocurrency), and dismantling their infrastructure.
Ransomware attacks are on the rise in Malaysia, with the FBI expressing concern. The evolving tactics include double extortion (threatening to release stolen data), sophisticated targeting based on victims’ cyber insurance policies, and higher ransom demands.
The FBI said they are actively fighting ransomware groups, focusing on disrupting their operations and dismantling infrastructure, as demonstrated in the case of the Hive ransomware group.
The Hive ransomware group was a prominent and highly active threat globally, targeting businesses and victims across more than 80 countries. Known for its scale and impact, Hive demanded substantial ransom amounts, reaching into the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Furthermore, the FBI discourages paying ransoms and advises victims to reach out to law enforcement.
Partnerships and information sharing are highlighted as crucial in addressing cybercrime, emphasising collaboration with foreign law enforcement, intelligence services, and the private sector.
The FBI also aims to intensify its partnership with the Malaysian police, focusing on joint efforts and elevated cooperation to combat cyber threats more effectively.
