Hackers from Iran and Russia are carrying out espionage cyberattacks on British politicians and journalists, and the numbers are increasing, writes the BBC.
Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre has published a new warning about increasing attacks aimed at obtaining information from certain groups of individuals. It is indicated that particular persons and groups of persons – politicians, journalists, rights activists and think tanks – most often become victims of hackers.
Cybercriminals often use fake identities to gain trust and then send invitations to a meeting or Zoom call that includes malicious code. If such a link is opened, criminals gain access to sensitive data.
Paul Chichester, director of operationsof Cyber Security Centre, said he recommends that every organization and individual should carefully assess their actions and follow security instructions.
Britain has not officially blamed Russia and Iran for the attacks, but two of the cybercriminal groups carrying out the attacks are believed to be linked to those countries. Russian hackers SEABORGIUM have previously been accused of leaking the e-mail correspondence of former MI-6 chief Sir Richard Dearlow and attacking the systems of US nuclear laboratories. Google states that the group has also attacked US think tanks, Ukrainian cooperation partners and military systems of several Eastern European countries.
The Iranian hackers, known as TA453 or Charming Kitten, are linked to the Islamic State’s power structures and have targeted US politicians and its critical infrastructure.
The activities of the criminal groups have not been coordinated, but a joint warning has been issued, as both Russian and Iranian hackers use a similar approach and choose similar targets.
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