Here’s what many say about 2016: “Thank God it’s almost over!” So believe me, most of us in computer repair feel the same way. But one headline that dominated the news this year is Russia hacking, particularly during the 2016 election. Russia hacking: how did this happen?
Before I go any further, I shall report the latest episode in this real life soap opera. The Obama Administration put sanctions on Russia. Such sanctions include kicking 35 Russian agents out of the USA. They also include penalties for some top Russian intelligence leaders. This Russian organization is called the G.R.U. Here is the full story.
Is it true? But if so, how did Russia hacking affect an election? According to one New York Times stories, it’s all about Moscow convincing top leaders in managed IT services.? This includes people like Aleksandr B. Vyarya. Vyarya was a Russian computer programmer. His job was to fight cyber crime. Then the Kremlin urged him to hack for his country. But he refused. Then he feared consequences. Hence, he fled to Finland. But for every refusal, you have dozens of Russians eager to join this cyber warfare. Those involved in Russia hacking include Russian CEOs to political leaders to military personnel, and criminals. Their work is secretive. Their offices are isolated bunkers. They communicate in code. We’ll never know who most of these guys are.
Russia hacking is real. I’m still don’t know about the election part. They could have interfered in the election. Russia has the manpower and capabilities to do it. But did they? Or are the Democrats using Russia hacking as a scapegoat for their loss? But there are many recent stories of Russia hacking US government agencies. We can’t deny this. Also, how will Putin react to these sanctions? Will this encourage more cyber warfare in the name of payback? And what is Trump going to do after he is sworn in on January 20, 2017? Where do USA and Russian relations go from here?