Russian hackers hit with sanctions

[phenomlab]

Russian hackers who backed Ukraine war and targeted UK hospitals during COVID pandemic are hit with sanctions
The Trickbot gang is believed to have extorted at least $180m (£145m) from victims around the world.

https://news.sky.com/story/russian-hackers-who-backed-ukraine-war-and-targeted-uk-hospitals-during-covid-are-hit-with-sanctions-12956790

I’ve just read this article in (somewhat) disbelief. Sanction them? Sure, that’ll stop 'em…

NOT

Are the UK and US security agencies and governments seriously stupid enough to actually believe this will have any impact to them whatsoever?

[crazycells]

@phenomlab I believe this is the only thing they could do.

They say “By exposing their identities, we are dismantling their business models, making it harder for them to target our people, our businesses and our institutions” … but I am having a hard time understanding how this will make their work harder? Aren’t they online anyway? I am pretty sure they are not advertising their names while hacking…

[phenomlab]

@crazycells Precisely my point. It’s completely ineffective and a waste of time - just because it might “sound good” - it doesn’t mean it will actually yield any benefit. In fact, there won’t be any. Sanctions only work if you start seizing physical assets or freezing cash accounts.

This is neither.

[mathourthy]

What’s the deal with these “sanctions” - seems like a completely pointless exercise to me and I have to agree with @phenomlab that they aren’t effective.

[phenomlab]

@mathourthy Good question. They have zero effect from what I can see. It’s not going to stop them from targeting anyone else.