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RECOPE
Costa Rica cybercrime cyber attack Cyber Attacks Cyberattacks cyberattacks trending news News RECOPE

Costa Rica Faces Another Cyberattack, RECOPE Operations Shift to Manual Mode

 

Costa Rica’s state-owned oil company, RECOPE, suffered a ransomware attack on November 27, disrupting its digital operations and forcing a shift to manual procedures to maintain uninterrupted fuel distribution. 

This attack is the second major cyber incident targeting a government institution in the past month, following a similar assault on the General Directorate of Migration (DGME). 

Impact on Fuel Supply 


Despite the disruption, RECOPE assured citizens that the fuel supply remains unaffected, thanks to sufficient inventories. Manual operations, including extended working hours, have been implemented to meet demand, especially after a surge in fuel sales driven by public concerns. 

The ransomware temporarily disabled RECOPE’s digital payment systems, which are often compromised via phishing emails or malicious downloads. 

Efforts to Restore Systems 


RECOPE is working with Costa Rica’s Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunications (MICITT) and U.S. cybersecurity experts to restore the affected systems while ensuring safe operations. However, no timeline for full recovery has been provided. 

In comparison, the DGME attack earlier in November caused significant disruptions to online services, though essential operations like border control and passport issuance continued without interruption. 


Escalating Cyber Threats in Costa Rica 


These incidents highlight the increasing threat to Costa Rica’s public institutions and their digital infrastructure. 

  • 2022 Conti Gang Attack: A notorious attack by the Conti gang paralyzed several government services and prompted Costa Rica to declare a state of emergency. 
  • U.S. Aid: The U.S. provided USD 25 million to help strengthen Costa Rica’s cybersecurity. 

Despite these efforts, the recent breaches expose persistent vulnerabilities in the nation’s rapidly digitizing but under-secured systems.  

Global Implications 


Experts warn that attacks on Costa Rican institutions could serve as testing grounds for cybercriminals, helping refine tactics for larger assaults on critical infrastructure in nations like the United States. 

Ransomware has evolved from a nuisance to a sophisticated criminal enterprise, often leveraging zero-day exploits and ransomware-as-a-service platforms. 

International Response 


Globally, governments are intensifying efforts to combat ransomware. The U.S. has established an international counter-ransomware task force, and there is a growing push to classify ransomware attacks as national security threats. 

These measures aim to curb the escalating threat and protect critical infrastructure from increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.
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Social media identity theft
Costa Rica cybercrime Cyber Fraud Cybercrime Prevention Digital Security identity theft protection Online fraud Social media identity theft

Costa Rican Authorities Issue Warning as Social Media Identity Theft Cases Double

 

With the rapid evolution of technology, there has been a concerning rise in cybercrime, particularly in the realm of identity theft on social media platforms. The Cybercrime Unit of the Public Prosecutor's Office has observed a significant surge in such cases, prompting heightened attention to this growing threat.

Esteban Aguilar, the lead prosecutor of the Cybercrime Unit, shed light on the methods employed by cybercriminals to carry out identity theft. He explained that these crimes often target individuals, corporations, and even trademarks, using social networks, websites, or other digital platforms as their primary vehicles. Aguilar highlighted the severity of this issue, noting that identity theft has become the second most rapidly increasing form of cybercrime in the country, trailing only behind cyber fraud in its expansion.

The prosecutor emphasized the gravity of the situation by discussing the legal repercussions associated with identity theft. According to Aguilar, the Cybercrime Unit frequently receives reports of false profiles on social networks, which can lead to serious legal consequences, including imprisonment for up to three years. He stressed the importance of educating young people, who are the most active users of social media, on the legal and ethical responsibilities they must uphold online. Aguilar warned that any involvement in such illicit activities could result in severe penalties.

Statistical data from the Public Prosecutor's Office further underscore the growing concern. Since 2019, the number of identity theft cases has nearly doubled, rising from 449 reported incidents that year to 950 cases in 2023. This sharp increase reflects the escalating nature of cyber threats and the need for stronger measures to combat them.

The Costa Rican Penal Code specifically addresses the crime of identity theft, prescribing imprisonment ranging from one to three years for offenders. The law is clear: anyone who impersonates the identity of a natural person, legal entity, or trademark on any social network, website, or digital platform will face serious legal consequences.

The impact of identity theft has not been limited to individuals. Businesses, too, have been affected, with several high-profile companies falling victim to this crime. For instance, Pozuelo, a well-known cookie brand, has issued warnings to the public about fraudulent schemes where criminals have misappropriated the company's identity. Similarly, financial institutions, including banks, have alerted their customers to various scams designed to exploit their trust.

In a particularly alarming development, the country recently reported its first case of identity theft involving social networks. The case involves a man accused of accessing his ex-girlfriend's social media accounts and business profiles without her permission. According to the Prosecutor's Office, the accused had knowledge of her passwords and used them to infiltrate her personal and business accounts, raising serious concerns about privacy and the misuse of personal information.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of cybercrime, particularly identity theft, and the urgent need for vigilance, both online and offline. As technology continues to advance, so too must the efforts to protect individuals and businesses from the growing threat of cybercriminals.

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