Experts put out warnings to local companies as cyberattacks increase with Ukraine invasion

ATLANTA — A cybersecurity specialist is warning local companies to be on the lookout for cyberattacks.

Georgia State University’s Dr. David Maimon told Channel 2′s Dave Huddleston that since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine he’s seen an uptick in online fraud and security threats.

“We have to understand that we are sitting on a house of glass. We’re all connected to the internet. Our critical infrastructure is connected to the internet,” Maimon said.

Maimon tracks illegal activity online and on the dark web — a cryptic site where criminals share stolen goods and identities.

He said after the sanctions were put on Russia, he’s seen an increase in online fraud against Americans and companies could be next.

“I think we have to be more vigilant at this point and time,” Maimon said.

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You’ll remember in May 2021, Colonial Pipeline was hit with a cyberattack and created gas shortages through the southeast US.

Maimon said American bank accounts and credit card accounts are being hit. He showed Huddleston how someone’s discovery account was for sale online.

The victims have no idea their information is part of an illegal auction.

“That means you from Russian or Ukraine or any other place, you can log into the account and doing things with the bank account,” Maimon said.

He said there’s also been an uptick in stolen tax returns.

“We see that on the platforms and I believe that this will increase if the sanctions will continue to be enforced on the Russians,” Maimon said.

Maimon created GSU’s Evidence Based Cyber Security Research group to keep citizens protected by interacting with bad guys.

They then share what they’ve learned with law enforcement.

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