Tag Archive for: russia

Russia blames US and Apple for hacking diplomat iPhones

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Kremlin

Kremlin

Russia has accused Apple and US intelligence agencies of collaborating to spy on its diplomats by hacking their iPhones.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) issued a statement to say that thousands of Apple devices belonging to Russian diplomats were infected with an unknown malware.

Separately, prominent antivirus firm Kaspersky reported another attack on iOS devices, which Russia’s computer security agency said was linked to the first.

Kaspersky report

A spokesperson for Kaspersky told The Record that “due to the absence of technical details reported,” the security company couldn’t confirm all the findings from the FSB.

Company CEO Eugene Kaspersky did say, though, that the attack it reported was “extremely complex” and “professionally targeted,” adding that, “several dozen iPhones of the company’s employees — both top and middle-management — were impacted.”

The FSB said that the malware also targeted devices outside of Russia and wireless subscribers who use SIM cards registered with diplomatic missions and embassies in Russia. This include those belonging to users located in some NATO bloc countries, as well as Israel, Syria and China.

read more

> PowerPoint files are being hacked to spread this new Russian malware

> Kaspersky hits back after users warned of Russian hacking threats

> Russia hacker group hijacks USB attacks by other criminals

The NSA declined to comment on the accusation from Russia that it colluded with Apple to spy on Russia. An Apple spokesperson said that “We have never worked with any government to insert a backdoor into any Apple product and never will.”

The Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs also stated that the US was conducting global surveillance, adding that it has “placed itself above the law. No state has a right to abuse its technological capabilities.”

In March this year, Russian officials were told to get rid of their iPhones by Sergei Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration, due to the perceived risk of being hacked by western intelligence.

In Kaspersky’s report, the attack can be traced all the way back to 2019, with iOS 15.7 being the most version that the malware can successfully…

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Ukraine’s cyber chief on the ever-changing digital war with Russia

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Russian hackers have been attacking Ukraine for over a decade, but until the war began, cyberattacks still seemed like something out of a science fiction movie for ordinary Ukrainians. Many had to learn how to safeguard their hardware and their data.

The agency responsible for raising awareness for cybersecurity in society, private businesses, and the government is called Derzhspetszvyazok, or the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP).

Its chief, Yurii Shchyhol, faced the difficult task of explaining Russia’s digital threat to Ukrainians and the rest of the world.

His agency also oversees the coordination of all Ukrainian state services responsible for digital security and establishing a relationship with private businesses, which have become a lucrative target for Russian hackers.

One year into the war, his job hasn’t gotten any easier. Russian hackers are continually adapting and enhancing their methods, while also searching for fresh targets, Shchyhol said in an interview with The Record.

And as Ukraine and Russia gear up for expected spring and summer operations, Shchyhol expects Russia to intensify its cyberattacks. His objective now is not only to defend against attacks but also to hold those responsible accountable and bring them to justice.

“This is not a war between soldiers. It’s a war between the aggressor nation and the civilian population. The majority of Russian missiles target innocent civilians, and the same is happening in cyberspace,” Shchyhol said.

In a Zoom interview conducted in Ukrainian, The Record asked him about the current state of cyberwarfare in Ukraine one year after the invasion and his expectations for the near future. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The Record: How have Russian cyberattacks on Ukraine changed since the beginning of 2023?

Yurii Shchyhol: Russian cyberattacks on Ukraine are ongoing, but hackers are changing their attack vectors and targets.

In 2023, cyberattacks on Ukrainian commerce, finance, and defense sectors have significantly decreased. Hackers may have lost interest in these areas because they cannot quickly find vulnerabilities there that they can…

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Five vengeful ways US could hit back after Russia fighter jet downs Reaper drone

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RUSSIA and the US are facing a crisis after a Russian fighter jet brought down a US reaper drone.

The incident over the Black Sea marks the first time since the height of the Cold War that an American aircraft has been brought down by the Russians.

And the US has warned it could escalate into war as fears of miscalculation are now looming over Putin’s bloody war in Ukraine.

The drone was taken down while flying over the Black Sea near Russian occupied Crimea – close to the current frontline.

US officials said the Russian Su-27 jet struck the propeller of the MQ-9 Reaper drone resulting in it crash landing in the sea and its loss.

Prior to the collision, which happened at 7am local time, two Su-27s had “dumped fuel on and flew in front of the MQ-9” in a “reckless” and “unprofessional” manner.

Horrified US military personnel in Germany watched a live feed from the drone as the Russian jets repeatedly flew around it, dumping fuel to damage cameras and sensors, reported New York Times.

Senior US officials have been worried for months that some sort of incident over the Black Sea could lead to a miscommunication and confrontation.

And predictably, the Russians denied everything – instead claiming the Reaper crashed due to a mistake by the pilot.

But what are the options for the US should they wish to respond to the Russians?

MISSILE STRIKES

The most direct form of retaliation – and of course the most dangerous – would be a direct attack on Russian targets.

It was a course of action contemplated by Donald Trump back in 2019 when the Iranians shot down a US surveillance drone with a missile.

The president had reportedly initially approved attacks on a handful of Iranian targets, like radar and missile batteries.

But despite saying the US has been “cocked and loaded” to attack he called off the strike with 10 minutes to spare after being told that the airstrike might kill as many as 150 people.

But unlike the Iranian incident, the US appear to be chalking up this drone drama to reckless accident rather than a deliberate aggressive action.

So this lowers the chances of Washington taking military action in response.

Also – any attack on the Russian military risks the…

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Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Nord Stream Pipeline Attacks Called by Russia

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John Kelley
Political Minister Counselor
New York, New York
February 21, 2023

AS DELIVERED

Thank you, Mr. President, and we thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing. We listened carefully to the other briefers today. We recognize their past history and service, though we question their relevant knowledge to speak as an expert briefer on the topic at hand.

Mr. President, the United States is deeply concerned by the sabotage that took place on Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines last September.  Deliberate actions to damage critical infrastructure cannot be tolerated.

But let’s be clear why we are really here in the Council today.  Later this week, as we near the one-year anniversary, the General Assembly will debate the impact of Russia’s illegal and full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Today’s meeting is a blatant attempt to distract from this. As the world unites this week to call for a just and secure peace in Ukraine consistent with the UN Charter, Russia desperately wants to change the subject.

This is not the first time that Russia has used its seat on this Council to amplify conspiracy theories from the internet. We wish it would apply the same urgency shown over the past three days instead to the myriad credible reports of human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law caused by its invading forces.

However, let me state clearly and plainly: Accusations that the United States was involved in this act of sabotage are completely false. The United States was not involved in any way.

Competent authorities in Denmark, Germany, and Sweden are investigating these incidents in a comprehensive, transparent, and impartial manner. Resources for UN investigations should be preserved for cases when states are unwilling or unable to investigate genuinely.

Let us not be fooled by Russia’s claim it only wants an “impartial” investigation. Its draft resolution clearly implicates the United States and mischaracterizes statements by U.S. officials. Russia does not seek an impartial investigation. It seeks to prejudice ongoing ones toward a predetermined conclusion of its choosing.

The expedited timeline on which the Russian delegation…

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