A hacker group, linked to Russian intelligence, has been prevented from carrying out its activities, Microsoft and U.S. authorities said on October 3rd.
U.S. officials say the group attempted to breach the computer systems of former American military and intelligence personnel, as well as those of non-governmental organizations, U.S. companies, and others.
An American court has released documents authorizing Microsoft and the U.S. Department of Justice to seize more than 100 domain names associated with the hacker group, known as the Callisto Group of Star Blizzard.
“This seizure is part of a coordinated response with our private sector partners to dismantle the infrastructure that cyber espionage actors use to attack U.S. and international targets,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey of the Northern District of California.
The group targeted individuals with emails that appeared to come from a trusted source, a tactic known as “spear phishing,” the U.S. Department of Justice said in a press release. Once the links in these emails were opened, hackers attempted to access the victims’ internal systems to steal data and disrupt their activities.
According to Microsoft, Star Blizzard’s activities were persistent and sophisticated. The group often conducted detailed preliminary research on anyone they intended to attack. Star Blizzard also targeted civil society groups, U.S. companies, American military contractors, and the U.S. Department of Energy, which oversees many nuclear programs, the company said.
Authorities have not disclosed whether Star Blizzard’s activities were successful or not, but they stated that they expect Russia to continue using hackers for cyber-attacks against Washington and its allies. The United States has vowed to remain vigilant.
“With the continued support of our private sector partners, we will be relentless in exposing Russian actors and cyber criminals and depriving them of the tools of their illicit trade,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in the Department of Justice’s statement.
U.S. authorities indicted two Russian men last year in connection with previous actions by Star Blizzard. Both are believed to be in Russia.
Star Blizzard also attacked individuals and groups across Europe and other NATO countries, the Department of Justice said. Many of them had supported Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
