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In a shock move, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered Cyber Command to stop all cyber operations against Russia.

The Shift in Policy

On February 28^th 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a directive ordering US Cyber Command to immediately call off all offensive cyber operations which target Russia. This order was communicated directly to Cyber Command’s leader, Gen. Timothy Haugh, who then instructed his teams to stand down. It was a decision which reportedly took many within the Department of Defense by surprise. Many ongoing cyber operations against Russian state-sponsored hacking groups had been in progress for some time, so the increased risk of cyberattacks was a major concern.

Established in 2010, Cyber Command has played a key role in US cybersecurity strategy for 15 years. From protecting cyberspace through to disrupting Russian cyber threats and state-backed hacking campaigns, Cyber Command has played a major role in preventing attacks which have targeted government infrastructures and private companies. It’s important to note, however, that while Cyber Command’s operations against Russia have been put on hold, other US intelligence agencies are still permitted to monitor and collect information on Russian activities online.

Why Were US Cyber Operations Stopped?

Hegseth’s directive has caused equal measures of concern and intrigue. It was a move which no one saw coming and the objectives remain unconfirmed. The main reason behind the decision appears to be a shift in foreign policy by the new administration. President Donald Trump has long been open about his desire to build diplomatic bridges with Russia, which have been tense since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Trump has promised his electorate he will put a swift end to the war in Ukraine but appears to be taking the side of Russia by blaming the conflict on Ukraine.

Many suspect that, by ending cyber operations against Russia, the US administration aims to demonstrate an end to hostilities between the two nations, with the Kremlin benefitting significantly from this act of goodwill. Nonetheless, many critics are arguing that this move weakens the defenses of the US and encourages Russia to continue its cyberattacks without consequence.

Is US Cybersecurity Now at Risk?

The ramifications of this controversial decision have the potential to be far-reaching. National security has long relied on cyber strategies and operations to protect US interests. Russian cyberattacks have been plentiful in recent years, with 2024 seeing Russian hackers striking critical US infrastructures. Accordingly, the ongoing presence of Cyber Command has been crucial in countering Russian attacks in the digital landscape. Experts fear that suspending these activities could have several consequences:

Increased Russian Cyber Threats: Initiating offensive cyber operations helps to neutralize Russian hacking groups by disrupting their networks and exposing their tools. With these interventions now halted, hacking groups will be able to relax and operate more freely.
Weakened Infrastructure Defenses: Almost all major infrastructures within the US rely on digital access, putting them at risk of external threats. Therefore, with their cyber defenses weakened, power grids, financial institutions, and government agencies are all at an enhanced risk of foreign attacks.
Impact on Ukraine and NATO Allies: The US has, until now, been providing valuable cyber assistance to Ukraine and its NATO allies. This has helped them defend against Russian cyberattacks and minimize damage. But this policy change will undoubtedly reduce support, leaving allies more exposed to cyberattacks.
Potential Future Implications: By relaxing cybersecurity efforts against Russia, the US could easily be seen as going light on Russia’s aggressive cyber activity. Russia, meanwhile, could perceives this as a sign of US weakness and take advantage by increasing their cyber activities against the US government.

What Has the Reaction from the Digital Community Been?

Understandably, this news story has caused major debate amongst politicians, journalists and commentators in the digital community. Strong opinions have been voiced, and the internet has been ablaze with polarizing comments.

Lawmakers from Congress have criticized the decision and compared it to removing the military’s ability to defend itself against aggressive action in war. At the same time, cybersecurity experts have condemned the move and pointed at the obvious fact that Russia now has free rein to target critical infrastructure in the US. Commentators on Reddit have been much harsher, with conspiracy theories swirling that Russian executives have infiltrated the Trump administration.

The Immediate Future of US Cybersecurity and Russia

For now, Cyber Command is following orders and has ceased its offensive operations. However, it remains unclear whether this is a temporary move or part of a long-term strategy. If Russian cyber activity increases significantly, surely there will be a change in policy. Only time will tell.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

Hello XD Ransomware is no Laughing Matter

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Jun 2022

The Hello XD ransomware was first spotted in the digital wild back in November 2021, but recent research indicates that it’s becoming more virulent.

There’s no such as ‘good’ ransomware, but it’s not unreasonable to describe Hello XD as ‘disastrous’ due to its enhanced capabilities. Whereas, previously, Hello XD focused its efforts on the standard ransomware practice of encrypting files, its evolved form now includes a backdoor feature. This enhanced functionality allows the transfer of data from infected PCs to external sources. Combined with its ransomware feature, this new form of Hello XD represents a huge security risk.

Ransomware is a highly problematic attack, and it’s one which your organization needs to avoid at all costs. Hello XD is the latest in a long line of ransomware attacks and, as ever, it could save you a fortune by understanding how it operates.

Hello XD Steps Up Its Game

Spread through various phishing techniques, Hello XD operates in the following manner once it arrives on a PC:

Hello XD’s first step is to disable shadow copy capabilities, this means that system snapshots cannot be saved or accessed. System recovery, therefore, can’t be used to counter the impact of Hello XD.

The infected system’s hard drive is then encrypted by Hello XD, all files are encrypted with a .hello extension and rendered inaccessible.

A ransom note is issued to the victim through a text file which instructs them to communicate with the threat actors through the TOX chat system. Featuring strong end-to-end encryption, TOX provides a cloak of secrecy for the hackers while they communicate with their victims.

Hello XD’s final move is to use its backdoor functionality – a program named Microbackdor – to steal files, wipe any evidence of the PC being compromised and execute remote commands.

Clearly, Hello XD packs a powerful punch and has the capability to bring your organizations IT operations to a halt. It is believed that Hello XD has been designed by X4K, a Russian-speaking hacker who has been advertising his wares on various hacking forums. It’s also likely that X4K will enhance Hello XD’s capabilities even further for future attacks, so it’s crucial you remain alert.

How Do You Say Goodbye to Hello XD?

The best way to avoid falling victim to Hello XD is by practicing the following:

Understand phishing techniques: Hello XD, and many other forms of ransomware, use phishing strategies such as mass emails to snare their victims. Emails, for example, which instill a sense of urgency over financial matters can be used to encourage users to open malicious attachments. However, if your employees understand the tell-tale signs of social engineering, they will be better placed to avoid falling victim to phishing attacks.

Keep backups offline: it’s essential that you keep backups of your data and system snapshots offline to retain control over your data. While this will not stop a ransomware attack, it does provide your organization with a solution if they are attacked. A threat actor will be unable to encrypt offline files, and this ensures that you can restore your data without paying a ransom.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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