Australia to launch cyber attacks on overseas criminals following ransomware attacks

The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) had previously only used offensive cyber attacks to disrupt the activities of the Islamic State jihadi group.

An Australian intelligence agency will be given new powers to launch cyber attacks on criminal networks based overseas, the Turnbull Government has announced.

It comes in the wake of the recent WannaCry and Petya global ransomware attacks that affected computer systems around the world, including in Australia.

The ASD, which is in charge of the country’s digital intelligence, will be given expanded powers to target criminals overseas.

The agency had previously only used offensive cyber attacks to disrupt the activities of the Islamic State jihadi group.

“Our response to criminal cyber threats should not just be defensive. We must take the fight to the criminals,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told The Australian…

Source: Australia to launch cyber attacks on overseas criminals following ransomware attacks | SBS News