Ukraine’s SBU security service has warned that hackers are preparing to launch a massive new cyberattack on Ukraine.

The attack will target both Ukrainian government institutions and private companies, according to an SBU statement issued on Oct. 12.

The SBU said hackers would focus on large companies “in order to disrupt the operations of information systems, which could destabilize the situation in the whole country.”

Information obtained by the SBU suggests that hackers may attack Ukrainian computers using bugs in their operating system updates, as well as in updates of other software installed on computers.

The security service said the cyberattack would be similar to the one that took place in June. Then, Ukraine found itself at the epicenter of global cyberattack, with about 12,500 machines around the country being attacked by ransomware called NotPetya (also known as Petya). The malware encrypted vital data on Windows-run devices and demanded money for the key to decrypt it.

The June attack is reckoned to have been the biggest in the country’s history so far.

In order to protect themselves from attack, the SBU says computer users should update their anti-virus programs, back up any vital data, and regularly check for updates of software, including the Windows operating system.

The Kyiv Post’s IT coverage is sponsored by Ciklum. The content is independent of the donors.