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Why Should Diplomats Fear Russia’s Latest Cyber Attack Against Embassies?
Microsoft discovered something very serious. Russian spies are attacking embassy workers in Moscow. They use tricky computer programs to steal secrets from diplomats. This cyber attack is dangerous. It targets people who work at embassies. These are important government buildings where countries send their representatives.
What Is Secret Blizzard?
Secret Blizzard is a group of Russian hackers. They work for Russia’s government. Their job is to steal information from other countries.
The US government says this group belongs to Russia’s Federal Security Service. This is like Russia’s version of the FBI.
These hackers have been stealing secrets for almost 20 years. They target governments, reporters, and important organizations around the world.
How The Attack Works
The Russian hackers use a clever trick. They get between embassy computers and the internet. This is called an “adversary-in-the-middle” attack. Here’s what happens:
- Embassy workers try to connect to the internet
- Russian hackers redirect their computers to fake websites
- The fake websites trick people into downloading bad software
- Once installed, this software lets hackers spy on everything
The bad software is called ApolloShadow. It makes computers trust fake websites that hackers control.
The Kaspersky Trick
The hackers do something very sneaky. They pretend their bad software is from Kaspersky. Kaspersky makes real security software that protects computers. When embassy workers see “Kaspersky,” they think it’s safe. But it’s actually the hackers’ trap. This fake software removes protection from the computer’s web browser.
This attack is different from before. The hackers now control parts of Russia’s internet system. This means they can spy on anyone using local internet companies in Moscow.
Microsoft says this creates a high risk for:
- Foreign embassies
- Diplomatic workers
- Other sensitive organizations in Moscow
- Anyone using local Russian internet services
The attack has been happening since 2024. It’s still going on right now.
Russia’s Secret Spying System
Russia has a special system called SORM. This system lets the government watch all internet and phone communications inside Russia. Microsoft thinks the hackers use this system to help with their attacks. This makes the attacks very large and powerful.
How To Stay Safe
Microsoft gives important advice for embassy workers and organizations in Moscow:
Most Important Step:
- Use a VPN or encrypted tunnel that goes to a trusted network outside Russia
- Choose satellite-based internet providers not controlled by Russia
Other Safety Steps:
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all accounts
- Give workers only the computer access they need for their jobs
- Check who has admin access to systems regularly
- Turn on advanced security software
- Block programs from running unless they are trusted
- Don’t let suspicious scripts run on computers
This attack shows how cyber spying is changing. Countries are now using their control of internet systems to spy on foreign governments. Other countries like China, Iran, and North Korea might copy these methods. They could use similar tricks in their own countries to spy on foreign embassies.
Microsoft’s security expert says this is a big shift. Countries are moving from just watching internet traffic to actively changing it to break into computer systems.
What We Don’t Know
Microsoft didn’t say which embassies were attacked. They also didn’t say how many were affected. The US State Department didn’t comment on the report. Russian officials also didn’t respond to questions about these attacks. Russia always denies doing cyber attacks, even when there is strong evidence.
This attack is serious for several reasons:
- It shows Russia can spy on foreign governments in their own country
- It proves hackers can use internet companies to attack people
- It creates new risks for diplomats working in Russia
- It could inspire other countries to try similar attacks
Embassy workers and government officials need to be extra careful when working in Moscow. Using local internet services puts them at high risk of being spied on by Russian hackers.
The attack is still happening. Microsoft published their report to warn people and help them protect themselves. Organizations working in Moscow should follow Microsoft’s safety advice right away.