Global Outlook

Cybercrime is not a misnomer in today’s technology-driven world. It is occurring more commonly than estimated and a large tally of people are targeted by it. A UK cybersecurity agency has made a revelation – Russia and neighboring Soviet countries outside the Baltic region are the top sources of ransomware in form of extortion made online against British businesses and organizations. Ransomware must be treated as “the most immediate danger” of all forms of cybercrimes witnessed by the UK, said Lindy Cameron, the chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). During a speech to the Chatham House think tank, Cameron said, “We – along with the NCA [National Crime Agency] – assess that cybercriminals based in Russia and neighboring countries are responsible for most of the devastating ransomware attacks against UK targets.”  London’s Hackney Council was strongly hit by a ransomware attack in 2020 October. Though the council refused to pay the ransom demands, it is estima...