Opinion: A favor from Russian ransomware hackers
3 years, 6 months ago

Opinion: A favor from Russian ransomware hackers

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Frida Ghitis, a former CNN producer and correspondent, is a world affairs columnist. CNN — When President Joe Biden meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin later this month, he will undoubtedly bring up – as he should – the matter of repeated ransomware attacks against US targets by Russian-based hackers. Given the strained relationship between both countries, one can easily picture Putin’s sporting his self-satisfied grin at the sight of the United States even mildly hobbled, looking vulnerable as the result of actions by clever Russian computer aces, as happened last month when Russian hackers struck the Colonial Pipeline, causing gasoline shortages and panic buying across the US Southeastern seaboard. Among the hacks we know about are the ransomware attacks on the Colonial Pipeline, JBS – the world’s biggest meat producer – the New York City subway system, a local California police department and on the city of Atlanta. The Kremlin is already deriding the FBI director’s comments that single out Russian actors as the source of many ransomware attacks by calling it an “emotional” response.

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History of this topic

Cryptocurrency exchange network accused of helping Russia hit with sanctions
2 months, 4 weeks ago

Cryptocurrency exchange network accused of helping Russia hit with sanctions

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A network of people and virtual currency exchanges associated with harboring Russian cybercrime were hit with sanctions on Thursday, in a government-wide crackdown on cybercrime that could assist Russia ahead of President Joe Biden’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. U.S. Treasury sanctioned alleged Russian hacker Sergey Ivanov and Cryptex — a St. Vincent and Grenadines registered virtual …

The Rising Tide of Ransomware
4 months, 1 week ago

The Rising Tide of Ransomware

The Quint  

Clearly, QUAD cooperation on ransomware is pertinent and in line with the efforts so far to make cyber security and critical and emerging technologies an area of cooperation as both were being challenged in the Indo-Pacific region. At the global level, concerns around the digital ecosystem and its security and resilience resulted in more engagements at various levels—both diplomatically and …

UK and allies unmask and sanction Russian leader of LockBit cybercrime gang
7 months, 2 weeks ago

UK and allies unmask and sanction Russian leader of LockBit cybercrime gang

Hindustan Times  

By James Pearson and Sachin Ravikumar UK and allies unmask and sanction Russian leader of LockBit cybercrime gang LONDON -Britain, the U.S. and Australia have sanctioned and unmasked a senior Russian leader of the notorious cybercrime gang LockBit, the British government said on Tuesday. LockBit was first disrupted by the NCA, U.S. Department of Justice, FBI and Europol in February, …

Ransomware, use of AI, and rise in cybercrime-as-a-service key threats in the first half of 2023: Report
1 year, 4 months ago

Ransomware, use of AI, and rise in cybercrime-as-a-service key threats in the first half of 2023: Report

The Hindu  

Ransomware attacks, the use of AI, and the rise in cybercrime-as-a-service were observed to be the key trends in the cybersecurity space in the first half of 2023. While LockBit ransomware was the most used, accounting for 30.3% of observed ransomware cases, cybercriminals were also found making use of new variants, including Akira and Luna Moth. Threat actors were also …

A Russian ransomware gang breaches the Energy Department and other federal agencies
1 year, 6 months ago

A Russian ransomware gang breaches the Energy Department and other federal agencies

Associated Press  

The Department of Energy and several other federal agencies were compromised in a Russian cyber-extortion gang’s global hack of a file-transfer program popular with corporations and governments, but the impact was not expected to be great, Homeland Security officials said Thursday. Known victims to date include Louisiana’s Office of Motor Vehicles, Oregon’s Department of Transportation, the Nova Scotia provincial government, …

Russian hackers preparing new cyber assault against Ukraine, says Microsoft report
1 year, 9 months ago

Russian hackers preparing new cyber assault against Ukraine, says Microsoft report

The Hindu  

Russian hackers appear to be preparing a renewed wave of cyber attacks against Ukraine, including a "ransomware-style" threat to organisations serving Ukraine's supply lines, a research report by Microsoft said on Wednesday. The report, authored by the tech giant’s cyber security research and analysis team, outlines a series of new discoveries about how Russian hackers have operated during the Ukraine …

UK and US sanction seven Russian cyber criminals over ransomware actions
1 year, 10 months ago

UK and US sanction seven Russian cyber criminals over ransomware actions

The Independent  

Seven Russian nationals have been sanctioned by the UK and US over their links to the development and deployment of ransomware, as part of a Government crackdown on cyber criminals. We will always put our national security first by protecting the UK and our allies from serious organised crime – whatever its form and wherever it originates Foreign Secretary James …

The US Offers a $10M Bounty for Intel on Conti Ransomware Gang
54 years, 11 months ago

The US Offers a $10M Bounty for Intel on Conti Ransomware Gang

Wired  

“Today marks the first time that the US government has publicly identified a Conti operative,” says a State Department official who asked not to be named and did not provide any more information about Target’s identity beyond the picture. “That photo is the first time the US government has ever identified a malicious actor associated with Conti,” they say, adding …

US disrupts North Korean hackers that targeted hospitals
2 years, 5 months ago

US disrupts North Korean hackers that targeted hospitals

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The FBI and Justice Department recently disrupted the activities of a hacking group that was Monaco revealed new details of the attacks during a speech in which she encouraged organizations hit by ransomware to report the crime to law enforcement, both so that officials can investigate and so that they can help victim companies try to get …

‘I can fight with a keyboard’: How one Ukrainian IT specialist exposed a notorious Russian ransomware gang
2 years, 8 months ago

‘I can fight with a keyboard’: How one Ukrainian IT specialist exposed a notorious Russian ransomware gang

CNN  

Washington CNN — As Russian artillery began raining down on his homeland last month, one Ukrainian computer researcher decided to fight back the best way he knew how – by sabotaging one of the most formidable ransomware gangs in Russia. I was monitoring them.” For years, Danylo said, he quietly lurked on the hackers’ computer servers and would pass along …

‘Preparation, not panic’: Top US cyber official asks Americans to look out for Russian hacking efforts
2 years, 8 months ago

‘Preparation, not panic’: Top US cyber official asks Americans to look out for Russian hacking efforts

CNN  

Washington CNN — The US government is wary about the possibility of a Russian cyberattack on US critical infrastructure paired with Kremlin attempts to spread disinformation about any incident’s effects to sow panic among Americans, a top US cyber official told CNN. “All businesses, all critical infrastructure owners and operators need to assume that disruptive cyber activity is something that …

4 Russian government operatives indicted for hacking global energy facilities between 2012 and 2018
2 years, 9 months ago

4 Russian government operatives indicted for hacking global energy facilities between 2012 and 2018

CNN  

CNN — The United States has indicted four Russian men, including three Russian intelligence officers, for alleged hacking campaigns that targeted hundreds of energy companies around the world from 2012 to 2018, the US Justice Department said Thursday. In one indictment unsealed Thursday, three officers at Russia’s FSB intelligence agency are accused of hacking into energy firms, including some in …

Biden warns US companies of potential Russian cyberattacks
2 years, 9 months ago

Biden warns US companies of potential Russian cyberattacks

Associated Press  

RICHMOND, Va. — President Joe Biden on Monday urged U.S. companies to make sure their digital doors are locked tight because of “evolving intelligence” that Russia is considering launching cyberattacks against critical infrastructure targets as the war in Ukraine continues. But it’s your decision as to the steps you’ll take and your responsibility to take them, not ours.” Biden’s top …

US security and intelligence agencies prep for potential Russian hacking threats
2 years, 10 months ago

US security and intelligence agencies prep for potential Russian hacking threats

CNN  

CNN — Intelligence and national security agencies across the US government met on Friday to discuss how the Biden administration might respond to cyberattacks from Russia in light of the Ukraine crisis, three US officials familiar with the meeting told CNN. The meeting – which convened officials from the White House, intelligence agencies, Department of Homeland Security and other agencies …

DHS warns of potential Russia cyberattacks amid tensions
2 years, 11 months ago

DHS warns of potential Russia cyberattacks amid tensions

CNN  

CNN — Russia would consider conducting a cyberattack on the US homeland if Moscow perceived that a US or NATO response to a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine “threatened long-term national security,” according to a Department of Homeland Security intelligence bulletin obtained by CNN. Despite US tensions with Russia over Ukraine, DHS analysts assess that Moscow’s threshold for conducting disruptive …

Microsoft discloses malware attack on Ukraine government networks
2 years, 11 months ago

Microsoft discloses malware attack on Ukraine government networks

Firstpost  

The attack comes as the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine looms and diplomatic talks to resolve the tense stand-off appear stalled Boston: Microsoft said late on 15 January, 2022, that dozens of computer systems at an unspecified number of Ukrainian government agencies have been infected with destructive malware disguised as ransomware, a disclosure suggesting an attention-grabbing defacement attack …

Ukraine hacks add to worries of cyber conflict with Russia
2 years, 11 months ago

Ukraine hacks add to worries of cyber conflict with Russia

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Hackers on Friday temporarily shut down dozens of Ukrainian government websites, causing no major damage but adding to simmering tensions while Russia amasses troops on the Ukrainian border. A senior administration official, meanwhile, said the White House welcomed news of the arrests in Russia of alleged ransomware gang members, an operation Moscow said was done at the …

US charges 2 suspected major ransomware operators
3 years, 1 month ago

US charges 2 suspected major ransomware operators

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A suspected Ukrainian hacker has been arrested and charged in the United States in connection with a string of costly ransomware attacks, including one that snarled businesses around the globe on the Fourth of July weekend, U.S. officials said Monday. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco appeared to foreshadow Monday’s announcement in an interview with The Associated Press last …

The U.S. is hosting talks on cybersecurity with 30 nations. Russia is not invited
3 years, 2 months ago

The U.S. is hosting talks on cybersecurity with 30 nations. Russia is not invited

LA Times  

The U.S. will meet virtually this week with 30 countries to talk cybersecurity strategy. Amid an epidemic of ransomware attacks, the U.S. is sitting down to talk cybersecurity strategy this week with 30 countries while leaving out one key player: Russia. Since President Biden raised the issue directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin this summer in a summit and subsequent …

White House blacklists Russian ransomware payment ‘enabler’
3 years, 3 months ago

White House blacklists Russian ransomware payment ‘enabler’

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration sought Tuesday to choke the finances of criminal ransomware gangs, announcing sanctions against a Russia-based virtual currency brokerage that officials say helped at least eight ransomware gangs launder virtual currency. “Transactions were only completed in-person at SUEX’s offices.” TRM Labs CEO Esteban Castaño said SUEX is what is known as a “parasite exchange.” They are …

Biden sanctions cryptocurrency exchange over ransomware attacks
3 years, 3 months ago

Biden sanctions cryptocurrency exchange over ransomware attacks

Live Mint  

The Biden administration on Tuesday will unveil sanctions against a cryptocurrency exchange over its alleged role in enabling illegal payments from ransomware attacks, officials said, part of a broader bid to crack down on the growing threat. of facilitating transactions involving illicit proceeds for at least eight ransomware variants, marking its first such move against a virtual currency exchange over …

$10 million rewards bolster White House anti-ransomware bid
3 years, 5 months ago

$10 million rewards bolster White House anti-ransomware bid

Associated Press  

BOSTON — The State Department will offer rewards up to $10 million for information leading to the identification of anyone engaged in foreign state-sanctioned malicious cyber activity, including ransomware attacks, against critical U.S. infrastructure. The administration official would not comment on whether the U.S. government had a hand in Tuesday’s online disappearance of REvil, the Russian-linked gang responsible for a …

$10 million rewards bolster White House anti-ransomware bid
3 years, 5 months ago

$10 million rewards bolster White House anti-ransomware bid

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Biden administration will …

Russia-based ransomware gang REvil offline but cause not clear
3 years, 5 months ago

Russia-based ransomware gang REvil offline but cause not clear

Daily Mail  

The Russia-based criminal syndicate behind a devastating series of recent ransomware attacks on US businesses is now mysteriously offline just days after President Biden urged Russian leader Vladimir Putin to take action. REvil, also known as 'Ransomware evil', was responsible for the Memorial Day ransomware attack on the meat processor JBS and the supply-chain attack this month targeting the Miami-based …

Russia-based ransomware gang offline but cause not clear
3 years, 5 months ago

Russia-based ransomware gang offline but cause not clear

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Russia-based criminal syndicate behind a devastating series of recent ransomware attacks was offline on Tuesday, but cybersecurity experts said that it was premature to speculate why and that there was no indication of a law enforcement takedown. It was also possible that the group was laying low after the attack, or switching methods “as we did expose …

Russian-based ransomware group ‘REvil’ disappears after hitting US businesses
3 years, 5 months ago

Russian-based ransomware group ‘REvil’ disappears after hitting US businesses

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The New York Times reported that dark web pages purporting to belong to the …

Biden tells Putin Russia must crack down on cybercriminals
3 years, 5 months ago

Biden tells Putin Russia must crack down on cybercriminals

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call that he must “take action” against cybercriminals acting in his country and that the U.S. reserves the right to “defend its people and its critical infrastructure” from future attacks. “I made it very clear to him that the United States expects when a ransomware operation …

Biden Tells Putin Russia Must Crack Down On Cybercriminals
3 years, 5 months ago

Biden Tells Putin Russia Must Crack Down On Cybercriminals

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a Friday phone call that he must “take action” against cybercriminals acting in his country and that the U.S. reserves the right to “defend its people and its critical infrastructure,” the White House said. “I made it very clear to him that the United States expects …

Biden: US damage appears minimal in big ransomware attack
3 years, 5 months ago

Biden: US damage appears minimal in big ransomware attack

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Tuesday that damage to U.S. businesses in the biggest ransomware attack on record appears minimal, though information remained incomplete. Answering a reporter’s question at a vaccine-related White House event, Biden said his national security team had updated him Tuesday morning on the attack, which exploited a powerful remote-management tool run by Miami-based software company …

Scale, details of massive Kaseya ransomware attack emerge
3 years, 5 months ago

Scale, details of massive Kaseya ransomware attack emerge

Associated Press  

BOSTON — Cybersecurity teams worked feverishly Sunday to stem the impact of the single biggest global ransomware attack on record, with some details emerging about how the Russia-linked gang responsible breached the company whose software was the conduit. CEO Fred Voccola of the breached software company, Kaseya, estimated the victim number in the low thousands, mostly small businesses like “dental …

Hackers behind huge ransomware attack demand $70m
3 years, 5 months ago

Hackers behind huge ransomware attack demand $70m

Al Jazeera  

A ransom demand was posted on a site typically used by the REvil cybercrime gang, a Russia-linked group. The demand was posted late Sunday night on a site typically used by the REvil cybercrime gang, a Russia-linked group that is counted among the cybercriminal world’s most prolific extortionists. The gang has an affiliate structure, occasionally making it difficult to determine …

Ransomware hits hundreds of US companies, security firm says
3 years, 5 months ago

Ransomware hits hundreds of US companies, security firm says

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A ransomware attack paralyzed the networks of at least 200 U.S. companies on Friday, according to a cybersecurity researcher whose company was responding to the incident. The REvil gang, a major Russian-speaking ransomware syndicate, appears to be behind the attack, said John Hammond of the security firm Huntress Labs. “Kaseya handles large enterprise all the way to small …

Ransomware hits hundreds of US companies, security firm says
3 years, 5 months ago

Ransomware hits hundreds of US companies, security firm says

India Today  

A ransomware attack paralysed the networks of at least 200 US companies on Friday, according to a cybersecurity researcher whose company was responding to the incident. The REvil gang, a major Russian-speaking ransomware syndicate, appears to be behind the attack, said John Hammond of the security firm Huntress Labs. “Kaseya handles large enterprise all the way to small businesses globally, …

A 'Colossal' Ransomware Attack Hits Hundreds Of U.S. Companies, A Security Firm Says
3 years, 5 months ago

A 'Colossal' Ransomware Attack Hits Hundreds Of U.S. Companies, A Security Firm Says

NPR  

A 'Colossal' Ransomware Attack Hits Hundreds Of U.S. Companies, A Security Firm Says Enlarge this image toggle caption Jenny Kane/AP Jenny Kane/AP WASHINGTON — A ransomware attack paralyzed the networks of at least 200 U.S. companies on Friday, according to a cybersecurity researcher whose company was responding to the incident. The REvil gang, a major Russian-speaking ransomware syndicate, appears to …

Ransomware hits hundreds of US companies, security firm says
3 years, 5 months ago

Ransomware hits hundreds of US companies, security firm says

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The REvil gang, a major Russian-speaking ransomware syndicate, appears …

Biden and Putin discuss rules of engagement for cyber war, want critical services off-limit to cyberattacks
3 years, 6 months ago

Biden and Putin discuss rules of engagement for cyber war, want critical services off-limit to cyberattacks

India Today  

In the wake of increased cyberattacks from Russia, US President Joe Biden told Russian President Vladimir Putin that some critical infrastructure should be "off-limits" to cyberattacks. Putin responded on the matter in a separate press conference, confirming that the two leaders had agreed to "begin consultations" on such cybersecurity issues. "We need to throw out all kinds of insinuations, sit …

Biden says he confronted Putin on Navalny and gave cyber warning
3 years, 6 months ago

Biden says he confronted Putin on Navalny and gave cyber warning

Live Mint  

US President Joe Biden said he confronted Russian President Vladimir Putin about human-rights violations at a summit on Wednesday, including imprisoned opposition leader Alexey Navalny, and warned him against further cyber-attacks on American infrastructure. “That’s why we’re going to raise our concerns about cases like Alexey Navalny.” Biden said he made clear to Putin that if Navalny dies in prison, …

Three things the White House wants from the Biden-Putin summit
3 years, 6 months ago

Three things the White House wants from the Biden-Putin summit

Al Jazeera  

The White House is not expecting ‘a big set of deliverables’ but has a list of what they are ‘seeking’ out of the meeting. On the eve of the summit between United States President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior White House officials previewed their expectations, declaring they are seeking three things out of the meeting. In fact, …

Opinion: Biden’s historic opportunity with Putin
3 years, 6 months ago

Opinion: Biden’s historic opportunity with Putin

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Rep. Jim Langevin, a Democrat from Rhode Island, is a member of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. Rep. Jim Langevin office of rep. langevin Rep. Michael T. McCaul Office of Rep. McCaul This was a wake-up call for many Americans – if our gas stations and grocery stores aren’t safe from international cybergangs, what else is vulnerable? As such, …

Putin says Russia ready for reciprocal handover of cybercriminals, ahead of meeting with US President Joe Biden
3 years, 6 months ago

Putin says Russia ready for reciprocal handover of cybercriminals, ahead of meeting with US President Joe Biden

ABC  

President Vladimir Putin says Russia would be ready to hand over cybercriminals to the United States if Washington did the same for Moscow and the two powers reached an agreement to that effect. Key points: The US-Russia relationship is strained on a number of fronts like cybercrime and nuclear arms control A ransomware attack disrupted American and Australian operations of …

Wray: FBI frowns on ransomware payments despite recent trend
3 years, 6 months ago

Wray: FBI frowns on ransomware payments despite recent trend

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The FBI’s director told lawmakers Thursday that the bureau discourages ransomware payments to hacking groups even as major companies in the past month have participated in multimillion-dollar transactions aimed at getting their systems back online. “It is our policy, it is our guidance, from the FBI, that companies should not pay the ransom for a number of reasons,” …

US recovers most of ransom paid after Colonial Pipeline hack
3 years, 6 months ago

US recovers most of ransom paid after Colonial Pipeline hack

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department has recovered most of a multimillion-dollar ransom payment made to hackers after a cyberattack that caused the operator of the nation’s largest fuel pipeline to halt its operations last month, officials said Monday. “By going after the entire ecosystem that fuels ransomware and digital extortion attacks — including criminal proceeds in the form of digital …

Ransomware attacks saddle Biden with grave national security crisis
3 years, 6 months ago

Ransomware attacks saddle Biden with grave national security crisis

CNN  

CNN — The Biden administration Sunday confronted the implications of a sudden and grave national security challenge as ransom-demanding cyber hackers target the staples of American life – food, gas, water, hospitals and transport. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a congressional hearing on Monday that Biden would make clear when he saw the Russian leader that “states cannot …

Biden ‘mulling cyber war’ after spate of high profile attacks on US
3 years, 6 months ago

Biden ‘mulling cyber war’ after spate of high profile attacks on US

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. According to US government officials and other sources familiar with the matter, the Biden …

As Cyberattacks Surge, Biden Is Seeking To Mount A Better Defense
3 years, 6 months ago

As Cyberattacks Surge, Biden Is Seeking To Mount A Better Defense

NPR  

As Cyberattacks Surge, Biden Is Seeking To Mount A Better Defense Enlarge this image toggle caption Demetrius Freeman/AP Demetrius Freeman/AP President Biden received no grace period when it came to cyber hacks. "The cyber pressures that this administration has faced so far have been relentless," said April Falcon Doss, a former National Security Agency official who now heads a technology …

US to give ransomware hacks priority akin to ‘terrorism’: Report
3 years, 6 months ago

US to give ransomware hacks priority akin to ‘terrorism’: Report

Al Jazeera  

The move by the US Department of Justice, which was reported on Thursday by Reuters news agency, would come on the heels of the Colonial Pipeline hack, which disrupted gas deliveries along the East Coast of the United States. The United States Department of Justice is elevating investigations of ransomware attacks to a similar priority as “terrorism” in the wake …

Ransomware gangs disrupted by response to Colonial Pipeline hack
3 years, 7 months ago

Ransomware gangs disrupted by response to Colonial Pipeline hack

The Hindu  

Multiple ransomware groups claimed they were shutting down or scaling back operations on Friday as the U.S. government ramped up pressure while tech companies, cryptocurrency exchanges and others worried about getting caught in the crossfire. Another major criminal gang said it would forbid encryption attacks on critical infrastructure, and forums where such gangs recruit partners said they were banning ads …

Biden to discuss Russian ransomware hackers with Putin and suggests Moscow bears ‘some responsibility’
3 years, 7 months ago

Biden to discuss Russian ransomware hackers with Putin and suggests Moscow bears ‘some responsibility’

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President Joe Biden has announced he will be speaking to …

What We Know About The Ransomware Attack On A Critical U.S. Pipeline
3 years, 7 months ago

What We Know About The Ransomware Attack On A Critical U.S. Pipeline

NPR  

What We Know About The Ransomware Attack On A Critical U.S. At a White House media briefing Monday, homeland security adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall said that Colonial had shut down the pipeline as a "precautionary measure" to "ensure that ransomware could not transfer from business systems to those that control and operate the pipeline." On Monday, the FBI in a brief …

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