Hacker ‘Kerasid’ says Australians are stupidest humans alive as he lifts lid on extortion methods

A hacker claims Aussies are the easiest targets and the “dumpest people in the world” while revealing how cyber-gangs have targeted individuals and businesses without remorse.

Cyber ​​attacks on Australians have become increasingly common in recent years and are often linked to Russian criminal organizations.

Last year, Medibank was the target of Australia’s biggest ever hack, exposing the details of millions of Aussies on the dark web.

Russian hackers targeted Medibank in October, stealing millions of private health records and demanding the company pay a $10 million ($A15 million) ransom or the anonymous group would post everything online.

Medibank, Australia’s largest private health insurer, refused to pay the ransom. The hackers made good on their threat, posting private health claims and personal details of at least 10 million customers on the dark web.

A hacker known as ‘Kerasid’ says Aussies are dumb and the easiest targets. “Australians are the dumbest people in the world, and they have a lot of money for no reason, a lot of money and no sense at all”

While authorities have been tight-lipped about who carried out the attack, security researchers have traced it to REvil – one of the most notorious and successful cyber gangs to have ever existed.

A hacker who has worked extensively with REvil – known online as ‘Kerasid’ – said he enjoys exposing data, saying Aussies are dumb and the easiest targets.

“It’s the feeling of being on top of the world like no one can touch you,” he shared ABC news.

“Australians are the dumbest people in the world, and they have a lot of money for no reason, a lot of money and no sense at all.”

REvil is an advanced group that aims to secure the largest ransom sum possible, hiring hackers known as “affiliates” who are hired to gain access to an organization.

The partners steal sensitive data before encrypting the stolen files with the gang’s ransomware application.

They then conduct a negotiation process with the partner and the gang who split the money if the victim pays.

Kerasid said he has made millions from hacking and moves freely between Eastern Europe and the UK, claiming he is a key leader in REvil.

RE stands for Ransomware Evil – and the group has carried out dozens of attacks in 2020 and 2021, netting them more than $200 million.

The hacking giant tried to extort Apple by stealing new product sketches, taking control of Travelex after they locked down their systems and taking down JBS slaughterhouses that threatened Australian and US food supply chains.

In 2022, Australians lost a record $3 billion to scammers, with the average victim cashing in $20,000 according to the latest Targeting Scams report

Cyber ​​analyst Jon DiMaggio – who studied REvil extensively – said they use shyness to try and get extra money and attention.

“They would post bits [data] publicly on their website, to embarrass victims and sort of trick them into paying the ransom,” he said.

“They would contact reporters and talk to them and conduct interviews. They attracted a lot of attention.’

In 2022, Australians lost a record $3 billion to scammers, with the average victim cashing in $20,000, according to the latest Targeting Scams report.

This is an increase of 80 percent compared to the previous year.

“Australians lost more money to scams than ever before in 2022, but the true cost of scams is well over a dollar as they also cause emotional distress to victims, their families and businesses,” deputy chair of Australia’s Competition and Consumer Commission Catriona Lowe said.