FBI Official: Russia Is Not Cooperating with U.S. Against Ransomware Threat

"Russia is not helping to police suspected ransomware actors operating within its jurisdiction, contrary to projections a top White House administration official made in association with the pledge of a notorious criminal gang, according to a leading official.

'Based on what we've seen, I would say there is no indication that the Russian government has taken action to crack down on ransomware actors that are operating in the permissive environment that they've created there,' said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate.'We've asked for help and cooperation with those who we know are in Russia, who we have indictments against and we've seen a lack'..."

https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecuri...perating-us-against-ransomware-threat/185341/

 

I'm speculating but...either high-ranking officials in the Russian gov't are getting cuts of the ransoms and/or high-ranking officials themselves are in on or part of the "gangs."

Either way, it's hardly shocking that they're not helping. I can see Microsoft going open-source before I see that.

Edit: here--I mean, come on.

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/thr...-ransomware-attack.438772/page-2#post-3017449

 

FSB Official: US Is Not Cooperating with Russia Against Illegal Phone Tap Threat
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/24/nsa-surveillance-world-leaders-calls