Cyber Crime and the Role of Hackers in Russia

Running head: CYBER CRIME
Cyber Crime
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

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CYBER CRIME
Introduction
Internet fraud or cyber fraud can be described as a deception that is carried out by making
use of the internet. Cyber fraud is mainly referred to as a type of deliberate deception linked with
unfair and unlawful access to data1. Cyber frauds encompass factors that involve unauthorized
access to the computers, engaging in data mining by making use of spyware or malware, and
hacking into the digital systems to gain illegal access to the personal data that include the details
of credit card, social security numbers, and others. These online scams have been increasing over
the years, and it intends in the collection of the personal and confidential information of the
users2. This criminal activity generally begins when a hacker gains illegal access to computer
networks. It is a deliberate deception that aims in unfair and unlawful accesses of the major
information. Cyber fraud further refers to the process of data break-ins and identity theft that
cause serious damage.
The hackers in Russia, along with the different parts of the ex-Soviet Union is liable for a
greater number of cyber fraud breaches that need attention3. The essay aims to discuss the main
reason behind the same. The essay will identify whether the hackers in Russia are the most
significant groups of criminals who are committing cyber frauds. The essay will evaluate the
different types of cyber frauds since 2000 and will try to analyze whether the hackers based in
1 Connell, M. and Vogler, S., 2017. Russia's Approach to Cyber Warfare (1Rev) (No. DOP-2016-U-014231-1Rev).
Center for Naval Analyses Arlington United States
2 Nocetti, J., 2015. Contest and conquest: Russia and global internet governance. International Affairs, 91(1),
pp.111-130.
3 Thornton, R., 2015. The changing nature of modern warfare: responding to Russian information warfare. The
RUSI Journal, 160(4), pp.40-48.

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CYBER CRIME
Russia are accountable for several cyber fraud breaches that are occurring. The reason behind the
same is addressed in the following paragraphs of the essay.
1. Cyber Fraud and Recent trends in Cybercrimes
Cyber fraud can be described as a deliberate deception for unfair and unlawful access to
data that is stored in a system4. Access to any unauthorized computer system to gain valuable
data or for doing any harm to the users. Illegal access to the personal information of any users of
the system can be a result of cyber fraud.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of cybercrimes all over the
world, be it Wanna cry ransomware attack or Target attack. One significant trend that has been
observed in the recent cyber-attacks is that it is being undertaken and implemented by hackers
based in Russia5. The report aims in the evaluation of this recent trend in cyber-attack and further
analyses the reason behind hackers in Russia being the most significant group behind the
increasing cyber frauds. Cyber-attacks by Russia are considered to be a real threat, and therefore
this threat is needed to be addressed6. Before that, the analysis of the cyber-attacks that have
occurred over the years by Russia is needed to be identified.
Researches indicate that Russian cybercriminals have targeted the UK in 49 separate
incidents in recent times. The National Cyber Security Center has responded to several incidents
4 Renz, B., 2016. Russia and ‘hybrid warfare’. Contemporary Politics, 22(3), pp.283-300.
5Giles, K., 2016. The next phase of Russian information warfare (Vol. 20). Riga: NATO Strategic Communications
Centre of Excellence.
6Renz, B. and Smith, H., 2016. Russia and Hybrid warfare-going beyond the label

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CYBER CRIME
that are linked with Russian cyber groups7. There is no denying the fact that the Russian Cyber
group has targeted UK amongst others, which expands to a number of sectors. The Russian
backed cyber groups are also known for NotPetya cyber-attack. One of the most prominent
factors behind increasing cybercrimes by the Russian group is that the Russian government turns
a blind eye to the cybercriminals. Russian law enforcement generally has the idea of what is
going on; however, until cybersecurity fraud is constrained to the other parts of world, the
Russian government does not care.
1.1. Target Cyber Attack
The Target cyber-attack is one of the largest cyber-attacks that affected almost 40 million
payment cards at a peak holiday. In this particular cyber-attack, the hackers worked at an
extraordinary speed by carrying out the hacking operation in a period of 19 days. The cyber-
fraud was done in such a sophisticated manner that even Target could not detect the attack on its
own and was later alerted by credit card processors who have identified an increase in the
fraudulent transactions8. The attack was quite sophisticated as the investigators could not
understand the process in which the attack was carried out.
2. Russian Cyber-attack on Other Nations
The Russian government has mounted several cyber-attacks in foreign countries since the
year 2000. This section of the essay will provide a detailed idea of the different cyber-attacks
that were initiated by Russia.
7Bernik, I., 2014. Cybercrime and cyber warfare. John Wiley & Sons.
8Giles, K., 2016. The next phase of Russian information warfare (Vol. 20). Riga: NATO Strategic Communications
Centre of Excellence