A 24-year-old Ukrainian hacker who was involved in cyber attacks with the notorious hacker group Revil has been sentenced to 13 years and seven months in prison in the US. The hacker, whose identity remains unknown, has also been ordered to pay $16 million in compensation for his role in over 2,500 ransomware attacks.
The convicted hacker and his accomplices hacked thousands of computers worldwide, encrypting them with ransomware and demanding payments of over $700 million. One of Revil’s most significant attacks was on US software company Kaseya in 2021, affecting numerous companies across 17 countries. This attack led to the temporary closure of branches for companies like the Swedish supermarket chain Coop, due to failed checkout systems. US President Joe Biden had suggested the possibility of Russian involvement in this attack at the time.
The hacker was arrested in Poland in 2021 as part of a global operation against ransomware attacks and later extradited to the USA in 2022. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud, money laundering, and damaging protected computers. Russia claimed in January 2022 that they had dismantled Revil at the request of the USA.
This case highlights the ongoing battle against cyber threats and the need for global cooperation in addressing cybercrime. The hacker’s sentencing serves as a reminder of the consequences for those involved in malicious cyber activities and the importance of international collaboration in combating such threats.
