The Hermetic Wiper malware that targeted Ukraine

What is the News?

Ukraine has found that hundreds of its computers have been attacked by a data-wiper malware named Hermetic Wiper.

Moreover, Ukraine’s largest commercial bank was also hit by a DDoS or distributed denial-of-service attack.

What is a Hermetic Wiper?

Hermetic Wiper is a data-wiper malware that was detected on hundreds of computers in Ukraine. 

This malware when downloaded can erase all the data on a device it targets in a manner that renders the data irretrievable. 

The malware is also capable of attacking data recovery tools on a system and the rebooting system of a hard drive, making it difficult for the device to reboot into its operating system, essentially making it inoperable. 

What is a DDoS or distributed denial-of-service attack?

A DDoS attack essentially floods a website with countless frivolous requests for information, eventually leading it to paralyze or crash. It uses bots to send these queries that bombard the site, leaving it inaccessible to legitimate users. 

Such attacks, in a conflict situation, can damage critical digital infrastructure, disable government communication and the information ecosystem in a country.

Source: This post is based on the article “The Hermetic Wiper malware that targeted Ukraine” published in The Hindu on 2nd March 2022.