There’s been a major breakthrough in the massive Medibank Private cyber attack, with the Federal Government finding one of the persons responsible.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has confirmed Russian cyber-criminal Aleksandr Ermakov has been linked to the hack.
The huge data breach saw the personal details of more than 9.7 million Australians stolen in October last year, the biggest cyber attack in the country’s history.
Some of those details, including names, dates of birth, Medicare numbers, and other sensitive information was then posted to the dark web.
As a result of the development, Australia has used new international powers for the first time to place sanctions on the Russian individual for his alleged role in the attack.
“The sanctions imposed are targeted financial sanctions and a travel ban,” Ms Wong said.
Cyber Security Minister Clare O’Neil has praised those involved in the investigation.
“Medibank in my view was the single most devastating cyber attack that we have expereienced as a nation,”
“We all went through it, literally millions of people having personal data about themselves, about their family members taken from them and cruelly placed online for others to see.
“These people are cowards and they are scumbags… They hide behind technology.
“Today the Australain Governemnt is saying that when we put our minds to it, we will unveil who you are and we will make sure that you are accountable.
The Federal Government is still working to identify any other individuals or groups invovled in the cyber attack.
