Cyber Criminals Help Russia, China and Iran Target the US and Allies
Russia, China and Iran are using criminal networks for cyber espionage and hacking attacks against the US and others, according to a Microsoft report on digital threats published recently.
This governments and criminal hackers engagement concerns cyber security experts who say it represents actions directed by Beijing or the Kremlin aimed at hacking rivals and the illicit activities of groups typically more interested in financial gain.
Microsoft has discovered that a criminal hacking group with links to Iran infiltrated an Israeli dating site and then tries to sell or ransom the personal information it obtained. Microsoft says the hackers had two motives: to embarrass Israelis and make money.
A Russian criminal network has hacked into over 50 electronic devices used by the Ukrainian military, apparently with the aim to get information that could help Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Currently there is not any evidence that Russia, China or Iran are sharing resources with each other, or working with the same cyber criminal networks.
Microsoft’s report analysed cyber threats between July 2023 and June 2024, looking at how criminals and foreign nations are using hacking, spear phishing, malware and other techniques to gain access and control over a target’s system.
The company says its customers face more than 600 million such incidents every day.
Ukraine has responded with its own cyber efforts, including one recently that knocked some Russian state media outlets offline.
Networks tied to Russia, China and Iran have also targeted American voters, using fake websites and social media accounts to spread false and misleading claims about the 2024 election.
Microsoft analysts agree with the statement from US intelligence officials who say Russia is targeting the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris, while Iran is working to oppose former President Donald Trump.
Iran has also hacked into Trump’s campaign and sought, unsuccessfully, to interest Democrats in the material. Federal officials have also accused Iran of covertly supporting American protests over the war in Gaza.
Russia and Iran have rejected accusations that they’re using cyber operations to target Americans.
Fox44 News | AP News | Independent | Barchart
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