The United States is working on measures against cyber hackers using cryptocurrencies
US President Joe Biden at the White House on September 17, 2021. AP - Evan Vucci
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
The Biden administration is said to be preparing a series of measures to hamper the actions of hackers who use cryptocurrency platforms to demand their ransoms.
In recent months, the United States has suffered several major attacks on businesses and critical infrastructure.
According to the
Wall Street Journal
, the US administration could impose sanctions as early as next week.
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Cyber attacks have never been more numerous, nor more serious.
They no longer spare critical infrastructures
such as electricity grids, banks or even hospitals.
It is on this basis that the Biden administration decided to move up a gear.
On the one hand, by making companies aware of the risks, because giving in to the blackmail of pirates, it is to contribute more to the development of this criminal industry which often finds its origin in Russia.
But to dry up the resources of criminals, it would be necessary to hinder access to the cryptocurrency exchange platforms used to make ransom payments.
The
Wall Street Journal
mentions sanctions applicable from next week to prevent the development of what is now perceived as a national threat.
But without specifying whether these sanctions would target the payment platforms themselves.
Which would pose legal problems.
►Also read: Cybersecurity: a growing concern for companies and States
The law, moreover, should change at the end of the year in the United States, with new rules in preparation intended to limit the use of cryptocurrencies for illicit purposes.
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Cybercriminality