Trend Micro today presents a new report that provides a unique insight into the Russian cybercriminal environment, an ecosystem of actors that has in many ways defined global cybercrime over the past decade.

Key trends shaping the global economy

The report highlights key trends shaping the underground economy today. These include the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the explosion of available AI and Web3 technologies, and the widespread exposure of biometric data. The report provides key insights for business leaders, law enforcement, and cybersecurity professionals to better protect critical infrastructure, corporate assets, and national security.

A unique culture among Russian-speaking cybercriminals

The Russian-speaking cybercriminals The world stands out for having cultivated a distinct culture that blends elite technical expertise with strict codes of conduct, reputation-based trust systems, and collaboration. They operate today with slight differences from how legitimate companies operate.

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The impact of geopolitics on cybercrime

“It is far from just a marketplace, it is a structured community of cybercriminals where status, trust and technical expertise determine who achieves success,” says Vladimir Kropotov, Threat Researcher at Trend Micro and co-author of the report. Geopolitical shifts have rapidly changed the cybercriminals world. Political conflicts, increasing hacktivism and changing alliances have reshaped cooperation and led to new ties with other groups, with the spread within the EU increasing.

Cybercriminal activities with increasing momentum

In addition to delving into how cybercriminal networks are structured, the report also examines the cybercriminal activities such as are currently gaining momentum in these environments, such as ransomware as a service (RaaS), phishing campaigns, brute forcing attacks on user accounts, and intelligence gathering services.

Read the full report here.