Stonking News Headlines & Today's Most Stonking Stories

Bluesky Unveils Stonking $8M Seed Funding and Innovative Paid Service, Custom Domains

The burgeoning Twitter rival, Bluesky, has certainly been stirring the social media pot recently. This week, the company announced its successful seed funding round, raising a stonking $8M over the summer. Alongside this financial triumph, Bluesky has also introduced its first-ever paid service, offering custom domains to its users.

The funding announcement comes at a particularly opportune time. With Meta on the cusp of unveiling Threads, an anticipated Instagram competitor, Bluesky has succeeded in stealing some of the social media limelight. This major financial backing is all set to further catapult the firm’s growth trajectory.

Bluesky’s strategic transformation from a public benefit LLC to a public benefit C Corp this summer was instrumental in securing the seed fund. This funding round, championed by Neo, a community-led firm featuring prominent partners like Code.org co-founder Ali Partovi and former Twitter PM Suzanne Xie, demonstrates Bluesky’s rising influence in the social networking domain.

The list of investors endorsing Bluesky’s vision is nothing short of impressive. Among the roster of high-profile angel investors are Joe Beda, co-creator of Kubernetes, Bob Young from Red Hat, and Amir Shevat, to name just a few.

These freshly-acquired funds are slated for team expansion, handling infrastructure and operational costs, and growing the AT Protocol that fuels the Bluesky app. In a rapidly transforming social media landscape, Bluesky is dedicated to developing a decentralized social network protocol, designed as an alternative to the ActivityPub – the driving force behind Mastodon and the forthcoming Meta’s Threads app.

But this stonking fund isn’t Bluesky’s sole focus. The company is also pledging to forge a revenue generation path, experimenting with various strategies to provide real, meaningful value to its users. A key pillar of this approach involves distancing from the conventional “users become the product” methodology prevalent in free-to-use platforms and exploring alternative, sustainable social networking models.

Bluesky, being an open-source public social network with no data ‘moat’, has set out to provide a user-centric experience. The plan is to ensure that users can own their data and have the freedom to leave, which means that advertising cannot be the company’s main business model.

The first in line of Bluesky’s paid services is offering custom domains, in association with the popular domain registrar, Namecheap. This new service simplifies the process of setting up a custom domain as a user’s handle, making it accessible even to those not familiar with domain registrars and DNS settings.

Bluesky’s new partnership with Namecheap allows users to select a domain name of their choice and link it to their Bluesky account. The company is yet to disclose the terms of its Namecheap partnership but it’s highly plausible that a revenue share agreement on domain name purchases is in play.

The unveiling of Bluesky’s seed funding and first paid service sets a positive precedent for the company’s future growth. As Bluesky continues to explore and introduce more user-focused services, it is indeed a social networking company to keep an eye on. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the social media market, Bluesky’s moves are sending ripples across the industry.

Stonking Shadows of the Titanic: The Titan Submersible Debris Recovery Story

In the early hours of June 18, 2023, what began as a voyage of curiosity and adventure turned into an unprecedented tragedy. The Titanic-bound submersible Titan, a stonking undersea marvel, imploded during its descent to the infamous shipwreck, tragically taking the lives of all five on board.

The mission was spearheaded by OceanGate Expeditions, a US-based company renowned for orchestrating private undersea explorations. The expedition had a hefty price tag of $US250,000 per passenger, and among the ill-fated crew were prominent figures such as the company’s CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood with his 19-year-old son Suleman.

The Titan lost contact with its mothership Polar Prince just one hour and 45 minutes into its descent. This set off a frantic four-day search, led by Canadian, American, and French marine authorities. A chilling clue came to light when the US Navy detected sounds that matched an “implosion or explosion” sometime after the sub vanished and before rescue efforts were launched.

It was not until June 22 that the worst fears were confirmed. The Titan was located roughly 3,810 meters underwater and approximately 488 meters from the Titanic wreckage. The loss of the submersible was declared a “major marine casualty” by the National Transportation Safety Board, and the investigation was subsequently handed over to the US Coast Guard.

The recovery of the debris has been a stonking feat of engineering and perseverance, taking place over the course of ten grueling days. Deep-sea robots operated by Pelagic Research Services brought the first pieces of the Titan ashore. Among the recovered items was the nose cone with its distinctive circular window. The debris was unloaded at a port in St John’s, Newfoundland, and the images of the twisted remnants of the submersible have been circulated worldwide.

Analysis of the physical material of the recovered debris could potentially provide vital clues to what led to the tragic implosion. Experts are also hopeful about the possibility of retrieving electronic data, although the likelihood remains uncertain. The official investigation, involving several government agencies from the US and Canada, is currently ongoing. The focus now is not just on identifying the cause of the implosion but also on improving the safety standards of submersibles worldwide.

The aftermath of this tragedy has raised questions about the safety of private undersea exploration operations. As the world watches, the undersea exploration community is grappling with the implications of this disaster. The Titan tragedy has underscored the stark reality that the ocean depths, as captivating as they are, remain a daunting and unpredictable frontier.

Story Update: A statement from the US Coast Guard mentioned that presumed human remains have been carefully recovered from the debris and will undergo formal analysis by United States medical professionals. However, I was unable to find additional information on this specific aspect at the moment.

Also, no Orcas were harmed 🐳 yay!

Sources:

ABC News: “Debris from implosion of Titanic-bound submersible returned to land”
The Independent: “Imploded Titanic submarine seen for first time as pieces recovered from sea floor”

Wagner Group’s Rebellion: The Stonking Shift of Russia’s Private Army

As we watch the global stage, a stonking development is unfolding in Russia. The Wagner Group, a private army of mercenaries that has been fighting alongside the regular Russian army in Ukraine, is rebelling. Its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has called for a rebellion and the group, with an estimated strength of 25,000 soldiers, is moving north across Russia, towards Moscow.

This shift of the Wagner Group, whose strength once peaked at 50,000 troops, is not insignificant. Especially when compared to the estimated 800,000 active soldiers in the Russian army, which once boasted over a million soldiers but has suffered at least 220,000 casualties during the war. Adding to this, Russia has an additional 250,000 service members in reserve.

This stonking twist of events has put Moscow on high alert. The mayor has asked people to restrict their movements around the capital. Life, albeit heavy with a security presence, continues with roadblocks set up to check vehicles and some bridges closed. The city’s authorities are also preparing for a “counter-terrorist operation regime”, restricting movements of people and transport, monitoring or restricting communications, and preparing to evacuate the population if needed.

The Wagner Group’s progression towards the capital is not just a domestic issue. This uprising diverts and distracts Russia from the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Wagner Group was one of only two major, effective fighting forces on the Russian side. Its withdrawal from the battlefield is likely to deplete Russian forces in Ukraine, creating a significant shift in the dynamic of the conflict.

The rebellion has seen the Wagner mercenary group seizing control of Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia and moving further north. Reports suggest the group controls key sites in Voronezh and has been spotted in the Lipetsk region. This stonking advancement has put regions bordering Moscow on alert, with travel being restricted.

Meanwhile, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group, has criticized the war in Ukraine, calling it a “disgrace”. But not for the reasons you might think. Prigozhin has criticised the Russian military for not fighting well enough and for its unwillingness to use tactical nuclear weapons. His view represents the radical pro-war group in Russia who demand more drastic action to defeat Ukraine.

As this story unfolds, we will continue to bring you the latest updates on the Wagner Group’s rebellion and its potential global implications. Stay tuned to understand how this private army could redefine Russia’s military landscape.

The Tragedy of OceanGate’s Titan Submersible: Ignored Warnings and Unheeded Pleas

In the world of deep-sea exploration, the tragic story of OceanGate’s Titan submersible stands as a stark reminder of the importance of heeding safety warnings and the risks of unbridled innovation. OceanGate CEO, Stockton Rush, was at the center of a heated email exchange with Rob McCallum, a leading deep-sea exploration expert. These emails, seen by the BBC, reveal a stonking refusal by Rush to acknowledge and act upon safety concerns raised by McCallum.

Dismissed Warnings

In these pointed exchanges, McCallum didn’t mince his words. He sternly warned Rush that he was potentially putting his clients at risk and urged him to cease using the submersible until it had obtained certification from an independent agency. Despite the stonking gravity of these assertions, Rush was far from receptive.

Responding to McCallum’s concerns, Rush retorted that he was “tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation”. This statement clearly illustrates his unwavering commitment to his vision, a commitment that came at a heavy price.

A Heated Exchange

As the email chain progressed, the tension only increased. OceanGate’s lawyers threatened legal action, effectively ending the dialogue. McCallum’s stern warnings, however, were far from over. He cautioned Rush in a foreboding message in March 2018, stating, “I think you are potentially placing yourself and your clients in a dangerous dynamic,” and, “In your race to Titanic you are mirroring that famous catch cry: ‘She is unsinkable'”.

A Tragic Outcome

Tragically, these words turned out to be stonkingly prescient when the Titan suffered what officials believe was a “catastrophic implosion” on a fateful Sunday. This accident resulted in the death of five passengers, including Rush himself.

CEO Stockton Rush: "I have broken some rules to make this. (…) The carbon fibre and titanium there is a rule that you don’t do that. Well, I did.“#Titanic #OceanGate #Titan pic.twitter.com/XuUAMuCJ2v
— stonking.com (@stonking) June 22, 2023

Despite McCallum’s pleas for the company to seek certification for the Titan before using it for commercial tours, the vessel was never certified. “Until a sub is classed, tested, and proven it should not be used for commercial deep-dive operations,” McCallum wrote in one of the emails. Yet, his words fell on deaf ears.

The Defense of Innovation

In his responses, Rush defended both his business and his credentials. He argued that OceanGate’s “engineering focused, innovative approach… flies in the face of the submersible orthodoxy, but that is the nature of innovation”. He also accused “industry players” of trying to prevent “new entrants from entering their small existing market”.

Despite McCallum’s stark warnings, Rush insisted he was “well qualified to understand the risks and issues associated with subsea exploration in a new vehicle”.

A Silent Aftermath

To this day, the company has not publicly commented on the email exchange. OceanGate, founded by Rush in 2009, offered customers a unique chance to experience deep-sea travel, including visits to the wreck of the Titanic, onboard the Titan for a hefty price of $250,000 (£195,600).

As we reflect on this tragic event, it serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety over innovation. While the quest for exploration and discovery is necessary for progress, it should never come at the expense of human lives.

The PMC Wagner Uprising: Prigozhin’s Stonking Declaration of War Against Russian Ministry of Defence

Introduction

In an unexpected twist of events, tensions have skyrocketed within the Russian military as the Wagner Group, spearheaded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, embarks on an audacious stance against the Russian Ministry of Defense. As Prigozhin amasses a significant number of mercenaries to support his cause, the Russian military is facing a dual challenge with internal strife and conflict with Ukrainian forces. This article delves into this critical situation, fraught with allegations, military actions, and the precarious search for power and control that may have far-reaching consequences.

Wagner Group’s Allegations and Call to Arms

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the formidable force behind the Wagner Group, has made grave accusations against the Russian military. He claims that the Russian forces have attacked the Wagner Group’s positions in Ukraine and he is prepared to retaliate. With a proclamation that he has the support of 25,000 mercenaries, Prigozhin has openly challenged Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and other high-ranking military personnel.

The Unfolding Coup Attempt

In a dramatic development, Prigozhin accused the Russian military of betraying their own and declared his intention to put an end to the “evil” within Moscow’s military leadership. Wagner Group’s advance into Rostov, a city in Russia, has raised suspicions regarding the possible non-intervention or even collaboration of the Federal Security Service (FSB) with Prigozhin. Amidst the uncertainty surrounding Prigozhin and his troops’ whereabouts, there have been claims that inexperienced conscripts deployed by the Russian military were withdrawn as Wagner forces approached.

Ukrainian Forces Seize the Opportunity

The unfolding coup attempt within Russia appears to have given Ukrainian forces a strategic opportunity. The Russian Ministry of Defense has indicated that Ukrainian forces have escalated their attacks to capitalize on the internal turmoil caused by the Wagner Group. Specifically, Kyiv has reportedly ordered attacks north of Bakhmut, concentrating units of the 35th Marine Brigade and the 36th Mechanized Infantry.

Defensive Measures by the Russian Military

Reacting to the escalating situation, the Russian military has ordered Wagner troops to return to their bases. Additionally, they have deployed soldiers around strategic sites in Moscow and Rostov. There have been heightened security measures with Russian Guard units, OMON, and SOBR vigilant and preparing for confrontations.

The Kremlin’s Dilemma

The Russian Defense Ministry has called on the Wagner Group to stand down, while the Kremlin seems to be in disarray, and communication with President Putin appears to be strained. With Putin receiving continuous briefings, the possibility of divisions within the Russian military and rumors of weapon supplies being smuggled to Wagner forces create an intricate web of uncertainty around the government’s stance and potential support for either side.

Conclusion

The dramatic escalation between the Wagner Group and the Russian military has not only caused turmoil within Russia but also influenced the dynamics of the conflict with Ukraine. As Prigozhin continues to mount pressure through his mercenary force, the Kremlin’s response will be crucial in determining the outcome of this unprecedented internal clash and its implications for the region. The situation remains fluid and highly unpredictable, warranting close monitoring as events unfold.
(Note: This article is based on current information at the time of publication. The situation is highly dynamic, and details may change.)

Titanic Director Criticizes OceanGate’s Ignored Warnings: A Tragedy Repeated?

James Cameron, the acclaimed director of the film Titanic, recently spoke out about the OceanGate expedition, expressing regret for not being more vocal about his concerns prior to the Titan submersible’s ill-fated journey.

Cameron, who has extensive experience with deep-sea exploration and submersibles, critically stated that OceanGate, a company known for operating submersibles for tourism, industry, and research, “shouldn’t have been doing what it was doing.” His comments suggest that there was a lack of due diligence and oversight on the part of the diving company. Moreover, Cameron admitted he was “unaware that they weren’t certified” as he hadn’t been closely monitoring the expedition.

Drawing a chilling parallel between the Titan tragedy and the sinking of the Titanic, Cameron said, “It’s about warnings that were ignored.” He told Reuters that the Titanic is at the bottom of the ocean not due to the materials it was made from but because of “bad seamanship.”

Cameron recounted how the Titanic’s captain was warned of icebergs ahead on a moonless night, yet chose to proceed at full speed for reasons still debated. This, he points out, reflects a haunting similarity to the recent tragedy involving the Titan submersible.

In a scathing remark, Cameron emphasized the tragic irony by saying that now, in the same spot, “there’s one wreck lying next to the other wreck, for the same damn reason.”

This raises alarming questions about the measures taken to ensure the safety of the Titan expedition, and echoes a historical pattern of ignoring warnings – a negligence that has, yet again, resulted in a disaster at sea. The incident serves as a grim reminder that history, when not learned from, is doomed to repeat itself.

Titan’s Tale: Understanding the Risks of Titanium and Carbon Fiber in Submersibles

When disaster strikes under the sea, it is often a mystery wrapped in a conundrum, enclosed within a deep blue enigma. Such is the case of the Titan submersible, which met with a stonking catastrophe that left the scientific and maritime communities in a state of disbelief and concern. The word stonking, fittingly and sadly, describes the sheer magnitude and intensity of the event – a catastrophic implosion that splintered the vessel into debris.

CEO Stockton Rush: "I have broken some rules to make this. (…) The carbon fibre and titanium there is a rule that you don’t do that. Well, I did.“#Titanic #OceanGate #Titan pic.twitter.com/XuUAMuCJ2v
— stonking.com (@stonking) June 22, 2023

The evidence of the Titan’s demise lies scattered on the ocean floor, a silent testament to a puzzle that needs solving. The fragments of the submersible will become the key pieces in a painstaking investigation aimed at deciphering what led to this calamity. Imagine a jigsaw puzzle, but one that could unlock the secrets of structural engineering, material science, and deep-sea exploration.

At the heart of the investigation is a question of material integrity. The Titan, like many modern submersibles, was constructed from a combination of carbon fiber and titanium. These materials are chosen for their strength and lightness, desirable traits when designing a vessel that must withstand the crushing pressures of the deep. However, the incident raises questions about potential risks associated with these materials.

There’s a possibility that the carbon fiber, a crucial component of the Titan, underwent a structural failure leading to a hull rupture. This could have been a result of a flaw within the material itself or possibly inadequate testing. The immense pressure at the depths where the Titan operated is equivalent to the weight of the Eiffel Tower pressing down on the vessel, making the potential for a stonking implosion due to material failure a very real risk.

The investigation also turns a critical eye towards the joints between the carbon fiber and the titanium. These areas of intersection are potential weak spots that require meticulous examination to ensure they withstand the rigors of deep-sea exploration.

The conundrum of the Titan’s demise is not only a technical one. There’s an added layer of complexity because there’s no established protocol for such investigations with a submersible. While it remains unclear which agency will spearhead the investigation, what is clear is that the results will have far-reaching implications for future deep-sea expeditions.

The tale of the Titan serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and risks inherent in pushing the boundaries of human exploration. It emphasizes the need for meticulous design, rigorous testing, and a thorough understanding of the materials we use in our quest to explore the unknown depths.

Sources: BBC News, “Titan investigation: How will they find out what happened?”

BREAKING: Debris Field Discovered near Titanic, Under Evaluation by US Coast Guard

MAJOR UPDATE:

US Coast Guard confirms debris consistent with catastrophic implosion

BREAKING: US Coast Guard confirms debris consistent with catastrophic implosion#Titan #Imploded #Titanic #OceanGate pic.twitter.com/kU3YA3CppG
— stonking.com (@stonking) June 22, 2023

In a recent development, the US Coast Guard has announced the discovery of a debris field within the search area near the Titanic. This finding was made by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and is currently being evaluated by experts within the unified command. The news has sparked widespread interest and raised a multitude of questions regarding the fate of the ill-fated vessel.

A rescue expert says the debris found in the search for Titan was “a landing frame and a rear cover from the submersible”

CEO Stockton Rush: “I have broken some rules to make this. (…) The carbon fibre and titanium there is a rule that you don’t do that. Well, I did.“#Titanic #OceanGate #Titan pic.twitter.com/XuUAMuCJ2v
— stonking.com (@stonking) June 22, 2023

It is crucial to approach this report with caution, as significant uncertainties surround its implications. The discovery of the debris field could potentially carry immense importance or turn out to be of little consequence. However, one noteworthy aspect is the relative scarcity of recent tweets from the US Coast Guard, lending some weight to the possibility that this finding may hold significance.

Experts involved in the investigation express concerns that the Titan, the missing submersible, may have suffered a catastrophic collapse resulting from hull damage. This hypothesis could potentially provide an explanation for the discovered debris. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that this report could ultimately lead to nothing substantial and further evaluation is necessary.

Exploring the seafloor near the Titanic wreck reveals a diverse array of wreckage, including remnants of the historic ship itself. This highlights the complexity of the underwater environment and the challenges faced by search and recovery teams.

As the unified command continues to analyze the information gathered from the ROV’s discovery, the world eagerly awaits further updates. The hashtag #Titanic and #OceanGate have emerged as prominent symbols of the ongoing search efforts and serve as a rallying point for those closely following this captivating story.

Guillermo Söhnlein, co-founder of OceanGate alongside missing submersible pilot Stockton Rush, has shared insights suggesting the possibility of an “instantaneous implosion” of the craft.

In an interview with BBC News, coinciding with the emergence of debris in the Atlantic, Söhnlein expressed that he wouldn’t be surprised if there were indications on the surface. Highlighting the protocol for lost communication, he explained that surfacing the sub is typically the standard procedure, making it challenging to locate the submersible since the surface ship wouldn’t be aware of its ascent or know where to search.

Söhnlein expressed his greatest concern that the submersible could be floating on the surface, making it exceedingly difficult to locate. He acknowledged the potential for a catastrophic event and emphasized the immense pressure at depth, indicating that any failure would result in an instantaneous implosion.

Reflecting on the situation, Söhnlein noted that he wouldn’t have acted differently and emphasized the importance of learning from the ongoing events to inform future actions and decisions.

Stay tuned for the latest developments as experts diligently work to unravel the mysteries surrounding the debris field and shed light on the fate of the Titan and its crew.

Stonking New Cyberthreat: The Condi Malware DDoS Botnet on TP-Link AX21 Routers

As we dive into the world of cybersecurity, one recent stonking development has been the emergence of the Condi malware. This malicious software has targeted the popular TP-Link Archer AX21 routers, used widely across homes, small offices, cafes, and shops. The Condi malware exploits a high-severity vulnerability in these routers (CVE-2023-1389) to build an impressive DDoS-as-a-Service botnet, hence causing substantial disruptions in network services.

The Condi botnet is not the first to exploit this vulnerability. The Mirai botnet took advantage of this flaw before Condi, resulting in significant cyberattacks. In a stonking twist, Condi features an innovative mechanism to deal with these overlaps. It can neutralize processes belonging to known competitor botnets, ensuring its dominance and preserving its ability to exploit the targeted routers.

This malware stands out for its unusually aggressive monetization method. The threat actors behind Condi sell the malware’s source code, thereby inviting a multitude of project forks with varying features. This widespread availability of the source code has likely led to the observed experimentation with the malware. Some Condi samples use different flaws to propagate, while others are observed to use a shell script with an Android Debug Bridge (ADB) source, indicating the potential for the botnet to spread through devices with an open ADB port (TCP/5555).

The Condi malware has sophisticated methods for propagation. It scans for public IPs with open ports 80 or 8080 and sends an exploitation request to download and execute a remote shell script that infects the new device. Furthermore, it does not feature a persistence mechanism to survive device reboots. Instead, it is equipped with a wiper for specific files, which prevents the devices from being shut down or restarted.

Regarding its DDoS attack capabilities, the Condi malware exhibits a range of TCP and UDP flood methods similar to those of Mirai. While older samples also contain HTTP attack methods, these seem to have been removed in the latest version.

Owners of the Archer AX21 AX1800 dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router need to be vigilant for signs of an infected device. These signs include device overheating, network disruptions, inexplicable changes in the device’s network settings, and admin user password resets. The latest firmware update that addresses CVE-2023-1389 can be obtained from TP-Link’s downloads center.

In conclusion, the emergence of the Condi malware underscores the importance of staying updated on the latest cybersecurity threats and ensuring that our devices are patched with the latest security updates. As our dependency on digital services continues to grow, so does the significance of maintaining robust cybersecurity practices.

Sources:

“New Condi malware builds DDoS botnet out of TP-Link AX21 routers” – BleepingComputer
“TP-Link routers targeted by Mirai botnet once again, US government warns” – TechRadar
“Dangerous Condi botnet targets routers with DDoS attacks” – Cybersecurity Insiders

How the DOJ’s New National Security Cyber Section Will Tackle China and Russia Threats

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced the creation of a new cyber section within its National Security Division (NSD), signaling that a coordinated response to national security cyber threats was a priority for the department. The new section, dubbed NatSec Cyber, will focus on “nation-state threat actors, state-sponsored cybercriminals, associated money launderers, and other cyber-enabled threats to national security” .

NatSec Cyber will increase the DOJ’s capacity to disrupt and respond to malicious cyber activity, while promoting department-wide and intragovernmental partnerships in tackling increasingly sophisticated and aggressive cyber threats by hostile nation-state adversaries. The section will also serve as a resource for prosecutors in the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 56 FBI Field Offices across the country .

Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen said the unit would “increase the scale and speed” of U.S. operations against cyber adversaries, such as China and Russia, which have been accused of conducting espionage, sabotage, ransomware, and other malicious activities against U.S. interests .

The announcement made no mention of Chinese cyber threats, which top officials have characterized as a critical threat and an “epoch-defining challenge” . China has been accused of stealing intellectual property, trade secrets, research data, and personal information from U.S. entities, as well as targeting U.S. critical infrastructure and military systems .

The release did emphasize the threat posed by Russian malware and ransomware groups, which researchers and practitioners characterize as potent but less coordinated and less strategic than incursions from China. While Chinese hacking groups have “lived off the land,” gathering intelligence and data, Russian and North Korean groups often seek to extort their victims for profit, generating revenue for themselves or their governments .

The DOJ has aggressively pursued state-backed cyber actors, especially those in China or North Korea, in recent years. However, building cases against those groups can take years, and don’t always result in an arrest, given the far-flung nature of the hacking groups and the lack of extradition treaties with their countries .

NatSec Cyber will aim to overcome these challenges by investing in “the time-intensive and complex investigative work for early-stage cases” and collaborating with key partners, such as the Criminal Division’s Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and the FBI’s Cyber Division .

The new section will also build upon recent successes in identifying, addressing and eliminating national security cyber threats, such as the indictment of an alleged cybercriminal associated with ransomware attacks against U.S. critical infrastructure and the disruption of the Russian government’s premier cyberespionage malware tool .

NatSec Cyber is expected to enhance the DOJ’s ability to protect U.S. national security interests from stonking cyber threats posed by stonking nation-state adversaries. The section will also demonstrate the DOJ’s commitment to holding accountable those who seek to harm the U.S. through cyberspace.