Australian police identifies hackers of Medibank

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11th Nov, 2022. 08:36 pm
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9.7 million sensitive details stolen from the medical insurance Medibank are being sought by hackers for a dollar each.
Hackers posted private papers online, including abortion records.
Australian police say they have located the Russian cybercriminals holding millions of people’s medical information hostage.

According to Australian police, they have located the Russian cybercriminals holding millions of people’s medical information hostage.

The 9.7 million sensitive details stolen from the medical insurance Medibank are being sought by hackers for a dollar each.

In a case dubbed “morally abhorrent” in parliament, the hackers posted private papers online, including abortion records.

Police cautioned hackers in a news conference, saying, “We know who you are.”

Reece Kershaw, the commissioner of the Australian Federal Officers, told reporters that although there is no proof, police suspect the hackers are in Russia.

“We believe we know which individuals are responsible but I will not be naming them,” he said.

The Commissioner requested assistance from Moscow and stated that his team was in discussions with Russian law enforcement officials.

“Russia benefits from the intelligence-sharing and data shared through Interpol, and with that come responsibilities and accountability,” he said.

Researchers in cyber security and western organizations have long charged Russia with harboring cybercrime gangs.

The website that the Medibank hackers used to publish the confidential information has been connected to the renowned gang REvil, which is known to have its base of operations in Russia.

Before the gang was busted last year, REvil carried out dozens of well-publicized ransomware assaults, earning hundreds of millions of dollars.

A number of accused members were detained throughout the world, including in Russia in an extremely rare display of international cooperation.

Experts believe that the Medibank hack was carried out by members of the gang who have reemerged under new identities.

With tearful scenes in parliament discussing the grief it is bringing Australians, the hack has shook Australia.

Cyber Security Minister Clare O’Neil told politicians: “As the Minister for cyber-security, but more importantly as a woman, what has occurred here is morally reprehensible.”

The Australian government is in favor of Medibank’s decision to forgo paying a ransom for the data.

The hacked files, which contain the identities of policy holders rather than patients, have been warned against by authorities.

David Koczkaro, CEO of Medibank, issued a warning that the data release would discourage individuals from obtaining medical care.

The exploitation of their data is abhorrent, and it might deter them from getting medical attention. “These are real individuals behind this data,” he said.

The theft of the data last month is the most recent in a series of significant data breaches at Australian businesses in recent months.

Australian police identifies hackers of Medibank

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