www.reuters.com Open in urlscan Pro
13.32.22.112  Public Scan

Form analysis
0 forms found in the DOM

Text Content

Skip to main content
Skip to floating mini video
Reuters home

 * World
   
 * Business
   
 * Legal
   
 * Markets
   
 * Breakingviews
   
 * Technology
   
 * Investigations
 * Sports
   
 * More
   


Sign In
Register
Menu

undefined NaN, NaNNaN:NaN PM undefinedLast Updated 11 hours ago
Technology


RANSOMWARE ATTACK ON AUSTRALIAN UTILITY CLAIMED BY RUSSIAN-SPEAKING CRIMINALS

By Joseph Menn
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

2 minute read

A hooded man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this
illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. REUTERS/Kacper
Pempel/Illustration/File Photo

REGISTER NOW FOR FREE UNLIMITED ACCESS TO REUTERS.COM

Register

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 8 (Reuters) - One of the most prolific Russian-speaking
ransomware gangs has claimed credit for a weekend attack on an Australian
electric utility serving millions of people.

Australian media reported on Monday that Chinese government hackers were behind
the breach at CS Energy, which is owned by the Queensland state in northeast
Australia.



Those reports, which came amid high tensions between Australia and China,
prompted the utility to issue a statement on Tuesday.

REGISTER NOW FOR FREE UNLIMITED ACCESS TO REUTERS.COM

Register

There is "currently no indication that the cyber incident was a state-based
attack," the statement cited CS Energy CEO Andrew Bills as declaring.



The ransomware group known as Conti, meanwhile, named CS Energy on its web site
for shaming victims and sometimes leaking their data.

"Conti listed CS Energy on its leak site which, obviously, would indicate that
one of its affiliates was responsible for the attack," said Brett Callow, a
threat analyst at security firm Emsisoft.



The Australian, the Daily Mail and other media directly blamed the attacks on
China.

But Callow said that "Conti is believed to be a Russia-based cybercrime
operation, not a China-based APT, so it would appear that the attack on CS
Energy is simply an addition to the ever-expanding list of financially motivated
ransomware attacks." APT is security industry shorthand for Advanced Persistent
Threat groups, which are often backed by governments.

Like some other ransomware groups, Conti splits proceeds with affiliates who
break into targets before installing its program for encrypting computer files
and referring victims to Conti for negotiating payments in cryptocurrency.

Conti and other gangs have increased their attacks on utilities, hospitals and
other critical infrastructure in the past year. Western officials and
researchers have said some of those groups have ties to Russian intelligence
agencies, but no such accusation has been leveled against the Chinese.

REGISTER NOW FOR FREE UNLIMITED ACCESS TO REUTERS.COM

Register
Reporting by Joseph Menn; Editing by Stephen Coates

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.


MORE FROM REUTERS

NEXT 360p 720p HD 1080p HD Auto (360p) About Connatix V141899 About Connatix
V141899 1/1 Skip Ad Continue watching after the ad Visit Advertiser website GO
TO PAGE

Astounding human-like robot 'wakes up' Ballet NFTs offered for auction Singapore
smart bandage monitors wounds using app Airbus A340 plane lands in Antarctica
for the first time Explainer: What are NFTs? Croatia deploys drones to replant
forests Musk sells $5bln in Tesla shares after Twitter poll Twitter users tell
Musk to sell Tesla shares Incoming NYC mayor vows to take initial pay in bitcoin
Skepticism, surprise as Facebook launches rebrand


READ NEXT

 * TechnologyAnalysis: Alibaba's e-commerce empire under threat from Douyin,
   PinduoduoNaN:NaN PM undefined
   Gallery
 * BusinessBritain agrees digital trade deal with SingaporeNaN:NaN PM undefined
   Gallery
 * TechnologyItaly fines Amazon record $1.3 bln for abuse of market
   dominanceNaN:NaN PM undefined
   Video
 * TechnologyBetter.com CEO apologizes after laying off 900 employees via Zoom
   callNaN:NaN PM undefined
   Video

Sign up for our newsletter

Subscribe for our daily curated newsletter to receive the latest exclusive
Reuters coverage delivered to your inbox.

Sign up


TECHNOLOGY

 * Gallery
   Technology · NaN:NaN PM undefinedEU draft rules for gig workers target Uber,
   Deliveroo, online platforms
   
   The European Commission announced draft rules on Thursday to give workers
   such as couriers for online platform companies including Uber and Deliveroo
   rights, including employment benefits in many cases, a move which labour
   unions say is overdue but some companies argue will lead to job losses.

 * Video
   TechnologyItaly fines Amazon record $1.3 bln for abuse of market
   dominanceNaN:NaN PM undefined
 * TechnologyToshiba investors fret over lack of clarity surrounding vote on
   breakup planNaN:NaN PM undefined
 * TechnologyChina removes 106 apps from app stores citing privacy
   violationsNaN:NaN PM undefined
 * Gallery
   TechnologyTrucks catch up in the self-driving vehicle raceNaN:NaN PM
   undefined




SITE INDEX


LATEST

 * Home


BROWSE

 * World
 * Business
 * Legal
 * Markets
 * Breakingviews
 * Technology
 * Investigations
 * Lifestyle


MEDIA

 * Videos
   Videos
 * Pictures
   Pictures
 * Gallery
   Graphics


ABOUT REUTERS

 * About Reuters
 * Careers
 * Reuters News Agency
 * Brand Attribution Guidelines
 * Reuters Leadership
 * Reuters Fact Check
 * Reuters Diversity Report


STAY INFORMED

 * Download the App
 * Newsletters


INFORMATION YOU CAN TRUST

Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the world’s largest
multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day.
Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to
professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry
events and directly to consumers.


FOLLOW US

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 


THOMSON REUTERS PRODUCTS

 * Westlaw
   
   Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content,
   attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology.

 * Onesource
   
   The most comprehensive solution to manage all your complex and ever-expanding
   tax and compliance needs.

 * Checkpoint
   
   The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting and finance
   professionals.


REFINITIV PRODUCTS

 * Refinitiv Workspace
   
   Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a highly-customised
   workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile.

 * Refinitiv Data Catalogue
   
   Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and
   insights from worldwide sources and experts.

 * Refinitiv World-Check
   
   Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover
   hidden risks in business relationships and human networks.

 * Advertise With Us
 * Advertising Guidelines

 * Cookies
 * Terms of Use
 * Privacy
 * Corrections
 * Site Feedback

All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. See here for a complete list of
exchanges and delays.

© 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved





EUROPEAN UNION INDIVIDUALS

Right to Withdraw Consent under GDPR

If you are an individual located in the E.U. you have the right, at any time, to
withdraw your consent if you previously provided a controller with your consent
to process your personal data. If you previously provided your consent to allow
cookies on your browser, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. You
may withdraw your consent to our use of non-strictly necessary cookies through
Reuters.com by clicking on the “Show Purpose” button below. However, if you
disable the use of cookies in your browser, it may impact your experience of the
site.

Please also note that withdrawing your consent may not mean you will stop seeing
advertisements, and that you cannot opt-out of strictly necessary cookies that
are required. For more information about your rights as an individual located in
the European Union, please see our Privacy Statement.

Information Our Partners Collect

We want to be transparent about the data our partners collect and how we use it,
so you can best exercise control over your personal information. We use the
following partners on Reuters.com. In accordance with our Privacy Statement,
they may use cookies and other mechanisms to, among other things, connect you
with your social networks and tailor advertising to better match your interests.
You can elect to opt-out of this information collection by clicking here

We process your data to deliver content or advertisements and measure the
delivery of such content or advertisements to extract insights about our
website. We share this information with our partners on the basis of consent and
legitimate interest. You may exercise your right to consent or object to a
legitimate interest, based on a specific purpose below or at a partner level in
the link under each purpose. These choices will be signaled to our vendors
participating in the Transparency and Consent Framework.

Allow All


MANAGE CONSENT PREFERENCES

STRICTLY NECESSARY COOKIES

Always Active
Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched
off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you
which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy
preferences, logging in or filling in forms.    You can set your browser to
block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then
work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

 * ENSURE SECURITY, PREVENT FRAUD, AND DEBUG
   
   Required Cookies
   
   Your data can be used to monitor for and prevent fraudulent activity, and
   ensure systems and processes work properly and securely.

 * TECHNICALLY DELIVER ADS OR CONTENT
   
   Required Cookies
   
   Your device can receive and send information that allows you to see and
   interact with ads and content.

 * RECEIVE AND USE AUTOMATICALLY-SENT DEVICE CHARACTERISTICS FOR IDENTIFICATION
   
   Required Cookies
   
   Your device might be distinguished from other devices based on information it
   automatically sends, such as IP address or browser type.

 * LINK DIFFERENT DEVICES
   
   Required Cookies
   
   Different devices can be determined as belonging to you or your household in
   support of one or more of purposes.

 * MATCH AND COMBINE OFFLINE DATA SOURCES
   
   Required Cookies
   
   Data from offline data sources can be combined with your online activity in
   support of one or more purposes

List of IAB Vendors‎ | View Full Legal Text Opens in a new window

SALE OF PERSONAL DATA

Sale of Personal Data



 * TARGETING COOKIES
   
   Required Cookies
   
   These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They
   may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show
   you relevant adverts on other sites.    They do not store directly personal
   information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet
   device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted
   advertising.

 * FUNCTIONAL COOKIES
   
   Required Cookies
   
   These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and
   personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose
   services we have added to our pages.    If you do not allow these cookies
   then some or all of these services may not function properly.

 * PERFORMANCE COOKIES
   
   Required Cookies
   
   These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure
   and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are
   the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site.    All
   information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If
   you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our
   site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.

STORE AND/OR ACCESS INFORMATION ON A DEVICE

Store and/or access information on a device

Cookies, device identifiers, or other information can be stored or accessed on
your device for the purposes presented to you.

 * ACTIVELY SCAN DEVICE CHARACTERISTICS FOR IDENTIFICATION
   
   Required Cookies
   
   Your device can be identified based on a scan of your device's unique
   combination of characteristics.

 * USE PRECISE GEOLOCATION DATA
   
   Required Cookies
   
   Your precise geolocation data can be used in support of one or more purposes.
   This means your location can be accurate to within several meters.

List of IAB Vendors‎ | View Full Legal Text Opens in a new window

PERSONALISED ADS AND CONTENT, AD AND CONTENT MEASUREMENT, AUDIENCE INSIGHTS AND
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and
product development

 * DEVELOP AND IMPROVE PRODUCTS
   
   Required Cookies
   
   Your data can be used to improve existing systems and software, and to
   develop new products
   
   Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection

 * CREATE A PERSONALISED ADS PROFILE
   
   Required Cookies
   
   A profile can be built about you and your interests to show you personalised
   ads that are relevant to you.
   
   Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection

 * SELECT PERSONALISED ADS
   
   Required Cookies
   
   Personalised ads can be shown to you based on a profile about you.
   
   Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection

 * CREATE A PERSONALISED CONTENT PROFILE
   
   Required Cookies
   
   A profile can be built about you and your interests to show you personalised
   content that is relevant to you.
   
   Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection

 * SELECT PERSONALISED CONTENT
   
   Required Cookies
   
   Personalised content can be shown to you based on a profile about you.
   
   Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection

 * MEASURE CONTENT PERFORMANCE
   
   Required Cookies
   
   The performance and effectiveness of content that you see or interact with
   can be measured.
   
   Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection

 * APPLY MARKET RESEARCH TO GENERATE AUDIENCE INSIGHTS
   
   Required Cookies
   
   Market research can be used to learn more about the audiences who visit
   sites/apps and view ads.
   
   Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection

 * SELECT BASIC ADS
   
   Required Cookies
   
   Ads can be shown to you based on the content you’re viewing, the app you’re
   using, your approximate location, or your device type.
   
   Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection

 * MEASURE AD PERFORMANCE
   
   Required Cookies
   
   The performance and effectiveness of ads that you see or interact with can be
   measured.
   
   Object to Legitimate Interests Remove Objection

List of IAB Vendors‎ | View Full Legal Text Opens in a new window
Reject All Confirm My Choices

Back Button

Back


PERFORMANCE COOKIES

Vendor Search Search Icon Filter Icon


Clear Filters

Information storage and access
Apply
Consent Leg.Interest

All Consent Allowed

Select All Vendors
Select All Vendors
All Consent Allowed

Reject All Confirm My Choices



RIGHT TO WITHDRAW CONSENT UNDER GDPR



We and our partners store and/or access information on a device, such as unique
IDs in cookies to process personal data. You may accept or manage your choices
by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is
used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. These choices will be signaled
to our partners and will not affect browsing data.Cookie Policy


WE AND OUR PARTNERS PROCESS DATA TO PROVIDE:

Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation
data. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised ads and content,
ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. List of
Partners (vendors)

Accept All
Show Purposes


Feedback