The Russian Federal Security Service says Islamic State is teaming up with other international terrorist organizations to build a global hacker group. This comes amid the militant's heavy losses in Syria and Iraq. Amid worries of rising cyber threats, Danish insurer Tryg says it expects 90 percent of its corporate customers to buy cyber crime insurance within five years. CGTN's Paolo Montecillo tells us more about global cyber security issues.

 

The director of the Russian Federal Security Service, Alexander Bortnikov, said ISIL is trying to extend its reach beyond the Middle East to create strongholds in turbulent regions across the globe. The militants have also organized branches, individuals, and other organizations into a so-called "Hacker Army" that will result in more malicious cyber security threats.

 

In May of this year, more than 150 countries were hit with the deadly computer virus known as "WannaCry." It was a kind of software that targeted computers running Microsoft Windows operating systems. The program locked up files on infected computers, before demanding ransom in the form of the "cryptocurrency" known as Bitcoin to restore access. More than 230-thousand computers were infected, including as many as 70-thousand devices owned by National Health Service hospitals in the United Kingdom. WannaCry also hit Russia's postal services, some banks, the state railway company as well as the major telecom firm Megafon. According to reports, economic losses caused by this particular cyber attack could reach up to four billion US dollars.