Malware Schemes Unveiled
A Ukrainian man, Vyacheslav Igorevich Penchukov, pleaded guilty to involvement in two separate malware schemes, including a cyberattack at the University of Vermont Medical Center in 2020. The attack temporarily shut down vital services and resulted in millions of dollars in losses.
Key Details
Penchukov’s Charges: He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to break U.S. anti-racketeering law and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The Cybercrime: Penchukov was accused of leading a conspiracy that infected thousands of business computers with malicious software over a decade. He later led another conspiracy from 2018 to 2021, infecting computers with new malware, allowing for ransomware attacks like the one on the medical center.
Financial Impact
Cost of Attack: The cyberattack at the University of Vermont Medical Center cost an estimated $50 million in lost revenue. The Department of Justice reported losses at $30 million.
Impact on Medical Center: The attack left the medical center unable to provide critical patient services for over two weeks, posing a risk of death or serious bodily injury to patients.
Legal Consequences
Arrest and Extradition: Penchukov was a fugitive on the FBI’s cyber most-wanted list until his arrest in Switzerland in 2022. He faces up to 20 years in prison on each count and is due to be sentenced on May 9.
