A hacker who pleaded guilty to aiding hospital cyberattacks was sentenced to five years and four months in prison.
Vladimir Dunaev, 40, of Amur Oblast, Russia, had been indicted for helping further the Trickbot malware used in ransomware attacks against millions of victims and causing tens of millions of dollars in losses. He was extradited from the Republic of Korea to Ohio in 2021, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
"Dunaev developed malicious ransomware and deployed it to attack American hospitals, schools, and businesses in the Northern District of Ohio and throughout our country, all while hiding behind his computer," said Rebecca Lutzko, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, in a Jan. 25 news release. "Dunaev's case demonstrates that the Justice Department and our office will use all available resources to investigate and prosecute cybercrime."
Hackers involved in the Trickbot ransomware plot reportedly extorted $100 million from U.S. hospitals, allegedly attacking dozens of healthcare institutions in 2020. Mr. Dunaev had faced up to 35 years in prison.