LUXEMBOURG: The European Union warned on Monday that a cyberattack on any one member state could merit a response by all members of the bloc, amid growing fears of hackers holding governments to ransom.
Last month, "Wannacry", a huge ransomware attack linked to North Korea, wreaked global havoc after crippling computer networks at companies and government agencies worldwide.
EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg said the 28-nation bloc was "concerned by the increased ability and willingness of state and nonstate actors to pursue their objectives through malicious cyber activities."
"Such activities may constitute wrongful acts under international law and could give rise to a joint EU response" which could include "restrictive measures" or sanctions, a statement said.
As well as the Wannacry attack, which demanded that victims pay to recover use of their computers, there have been increasing concerns about possible foreign intervention in core state activities such as elections.
It was a major theme in last year’s US presidential campaign, with Moscow accused of trying to swing the vote in favour of Donald Trump, and fears have been voiced over what might happen in German elections in September.
Liberal Justice Elena Kagan on Sept. 13, 2016. — Slate website WASHINGTON: U.S. Supreme Court justices, wading back...
A representational image of inmates behind jail bars. — Unsplash/FileMOSCOW: A Russian court on Wednesday ordered...
Sudanese soldiers guard the surrounding area of the UNMIS compound in El-Fasher, the administrative capital of North...
US quietly shipped ATACMS missiles to Ukraine. — Report news agencyWASHINGTON: The United States in recent weeks...
US President Joe Biden during his address in California. — AFP FileWASHINGTON: President Joe Biden signed a...
The World Meteorological Organisation flag. — AFP FileGENEVA: Global temperatures hit record highs last year, and...