Archive:June 2021

1
REvil strikes again – ransomware attack on UnitingCare Queensland
2
Is ABC’s mandatory login into ABC iview legal?
3
Essential Eight cyber security controls to be mandated for almost all federal departments and agencies
4
Victorian Government QR Code Service now compulsory for all workplaces and businesses
5
The AFP and FBI developed ANoM app secretly distributed among criminals used to make over 800 criminal arrests worldwide
6
Other Australian companies attacked by the same ransomware attack on the JBS meat processing company
7
Ransomware attack on the world’s largest meatpacking company JBS
8
Another attack on critical infrastructure – New York’s subway hacked
9
Class action following ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline
10
Hack on American Colonial Pipeline Company highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to attack

REvil strikes again – ransomware attack on UnitingCare Queensland

By Cameron Abbott and Jacqueline Patishman

Following a ransomware infection in late April, UnitingCare Queensland has suffered a nearly 2 month long ordeal to regain control of its systems. UnitingCare was a victim of malware called Sodinokibi/REvil which encrypted its files and attempted to delete backups.

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Is ABC’s mandatory login into ABC iview legal?

By Cameron AbbottWarwick Andersen and Jacqueline Patishman

From July 1 all users of ABC’s on demand platform iview will be required to log in (and to have an account) to use the platform. It’s been reported that the former federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton, has been pushing to reverse the ABC’s decision, arguing that because the ABC is publically funded, Australians shouldn’t have to pay for content (which we have already paid for) with our data. 

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Essential Eight cyber security controls to be mandated for almost all federal departments and agencies

By Cameron AbbottWarwick Andersen, Rob Pulham and Jacqueline Patishman

It’s been reported that the Federal Government is planning on making implementation of the Essential Eight cyber security controls for all Commonwealth entities (excluding corporate Commonwealth entities). The Essential Eight is a baseline set of security strategies designed to minimise the risk of security incidents.  At this stage, no guidance has been provided as to the timeline for when this might happen; however, a decision as to the preferred approach is planned to be made by the end of the year.

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Victorian Government QR Code Service now compulsory for all workplaces and businesses

By Cameron AbbottRob Pulham and Jacqueline Patishman

All Victorian workplaces businesses and venue operators must now use the free Victorian Government QR Code Service (or use a third-party system that links back to the government’s interface) to meet their contact tracing obligations.

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The AFP and FBI developed ANoM app secretly distributed among criminals used to make over 800 criminal arrests worldwide

By Cameron AbbottWarwick Andersen and Jacqueline Patishman

[Editor: It has been a busy week for all Cyberwatchers, and our blog has been running hot.  This however is our favourite.]

For at least the last three years the Australian Federal Police and the United Stated Federal Bureau of Investigation have been working together to run ‘Operation Ironside’ using an app called ANoM. The app has allowed law enforcement to easily monitor criminal communications and to make over 800 criminal arrests so far.

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Other Australian companies attacked by the same ransomware attack on the JBS meat processing company

By Cameron AbbottRob Pulham and Jacqueline Patishman

It’s been reported that at least 7 other Australian companies are among the group of companies that were affected by the recent ransomware attack on JBS meat by the cybercriminal group REvil.

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Ransomware attack on the world’s largest meatpacking company JBS

By Cameron AbbottRob Pulham and Jacqueline Patishman

Last week, a ransomware attack on the world’s largest meatpacking company caused a temporary shut-down of its operations in Australia and North America. The attack infiltrated the company’s quality assurance systems and ultimately prevented normal production.

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Another attack on critical infrastructure – New York’s subway hacked

By Cameron AbbottRob Pulham and Jacqueline Patishman

In April, New York’s subway authority was hacked by a group of cybercriminals with suspected Chinese government connections. The authority is responsible for operating all of New York’s train and bus systems and the attack exposed vulnerabilities in the services used by millions every day.

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Class action following ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline

By Cameron Abbott and Jacqueline Patishman

Last week we posted about a ransomware attack on the American Colonial Pipeline Company. This week, the Company has been hit with a class action alleging that a range of US businesses and consumers suffered loss as a result of Colonial Pipeline’s decision to cut its supply of fuel until the ransomware attack was resolved. Meanwhile, the Company is still not entirely back on track – Colonial’s main website is still offline.

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Hack on American Colonial Pipeline Company highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to attack

By Cameron AbbottWarwick AndersenRob Pulham and Jacqueline Patishman

On 7 May, the American Colonial Pipeline Company (Colonial Pipeline) network, which operates the largest fuel pipeline in the US, was shut-down by a cyber-attack for several days causing fuel shortages, the highest fuel prices in years and the declaration of a state of emergency in four US states.

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