First Ever Study Published on the Russian Business Network

[JeffC]

This is a must-read for anyone interested in Cyber Warfare or Cyber Crime (proponents of both utilize many of the same techniques). The Russian Business Network has been in the Malware for Profit business for quite awhile, and although they've gone dark, most experts believe that they'll soon emerge in a new distributed form. I have a copy of the Russian Business Network Study, along with some background info on the author, available for download here (http://idolator.typepad.com/intelfusion/2007/11/the-russian-bus.html).

[Stan]

Jeff, great post with a similar twist !


This is a must-read for anyone interested in Cyber Warfare or Cyber Crime (proponents of both utilize many of the same techniques). The Russian Business Network has been in the Malware for Profit business for quite awhile, and although they've gone dark, most experts believe that they'll soon emerge in a new distributed form. I have a copy of the Russian Business Network Study, along with some background info on the author, available for download here (http://idolator.typepad.com/intelfusion/2007/11/the-russian-bus.html).

The Estonian press (http://www.postimees.ee/261107/esileht/majandus/297856.php?vene-foorumites-levitatakse-libateadet-krooni-devalveerimisest) is buzzing from a 'devaluation scare' via the Russian portals this weekend. Basically, ethnic Russians via forums began 'public announcements' of a pending 50% devaluation in the Estonian currency that would take effect on Monday morning (today). Currency exchange firms in Tallinn reported a run on the Estonian Kroon, nearly depleting their holdings of foreign currency at many outlets. The frenzy reportedly commenced in one of the city's larger ethnic Russian suburbs know as Lasnamäe.

Although Estonia's bank (http://www.eestipank.info/pub/en/yldine/press/kommentaarid/Arhiiv/_2007/_169?objId=951658) attempted to calm the masses and even posted links on the Russian forums regarding the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Exchange_Rate_Mechanism), most engaged in blackmarket exchanges and simply lost money.

Estonia's Justice Department has begun an investigation into the matter.

Malware probes are being harvested via F-Secure virus programs with Estonian government institutions registering more than 20 per day.

Hmmm, mere coincidence :cool:

Regards, Stan

[historyguy99]

This is a must-read for anyone interested in Cyber Warfare or Cyber Crime (proponents of both utilize many of the same techniques). The Russian Business Network has been in the Malware for Profit business for quite awhile, and although they've gone dark, most experts believe that they'll soon emerge in a new distributed form. I have a copy of the Russian Business Network Study, along with some background info on the author, available for download here (http://idolator.typepad.com/intelfusion/2007/11/the-russian-bus.html).

Interesting post, Steve DeAngelis of Enterra Solutions has a related post on his blog today. Worth a look!
http://enterpriseresilienceblog.typepad.com/enterprise_resilience_man/2007/11/security-threat.html

[JeffC]

Malware probes are being harvested via F-Secure virus programs with Estonian government institutions registering more than 20 per day.

Hmmm, mere coincidence :cool:

Regards, Stan


Very interesting! And RBN is nothing if not opportunistic.

[Stan]

Having earlier this year weathered a series of cyber attacks thought to emanate from Russia, it seems as if people looking to destabilise Estonia have realised that rumors on the financial markets (http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/19362/) can be a significant economic weapon in their own right.


Similar rumors have appeared in the Finnish press in recent weeks and despite an absence of any substantive proof to back them up, have refused to go away.

After various Russian-language websites – including that of the ‘Night Vigil’ campaign – published stories suggesting a devaluation of the kroon was imminent, banks have been seeing higher than usual numbers of customers asking to exchange their kroons for euros and other alternative currencies.

Night Vigil suggested that after devaluation, the exchange rate would be 24.6 kroons to the euro, against the current level of 15.65 kroons.

The Bank of Estonia issued a statement on Nov. 26 denying that Night Vigil’s claims had any basis in fact at all.