Four Corners: Season 2023, Episode 12

2023 - 12: Hackers Inc

Australia is under cyber-attack and the problem is not going away – it's getting worse.

Over the last three months I've explored the shadowy world of the criminal syndicates behind this.

It's taken me from Australia to Ukraine — and back again.

On that journey I've been stunned by how well organised – and corporatised – these gangs are. Some even have HR departments and negotiating teams.

Many are based in Russia, where they clearly receive the protection of powerful people in the regime.

Our Four Corners team has looked at two of Russia's crime gangs, Revil and Conti.

While technically they have closed down, it's clear that hackers from groups like this often re-emerge in other guises. Their malicious software – known as malware – is also used by other criminals.

I spent time inside the cyber nerve centre in Ukraine – where they warned that because of Australia's support for the country, we can expect an increase in attacks from Russia's gangs.

Preparing this report, I was stunned by the damage these attacks are causing. The Federal Government's own figures estimate 23 per cent of small and medium-sized businesses that are hacked are paying ransoms.

What can be done to stop the hackers?