Russian hackers are trying to steal coronavirus vaccine research data say US & allies

London, July 17: Britain, the United States, and Canada have accused Russian hackers are trying to steal valuable private information about a coronavirus vaccine with custom malware in an effort to steal intellectual property.

 

In a joint statement, the governments of all three countries said the hacking operation started in February and has been unrelenting since. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) published an advisory on July 16, detailing tactics and techniques of a hacker group commonly known as ‘APT29’, also known as ‘the Dukes’ or ‘Cozy Bear’.

 

A co-ordinated statement from Britain, the United States, and Canada attributed the attacks to group APT29, also known as Cozy Bear, which they said was almost certainly operating as part of Russian intelligence services.

 

 

"It is completely unacceptable that the Russian Intelligence Services are targeting those working to combat the coronavirus pandemic," said UK foreign affairs minister Dominic Raab. While others pursue their selfish interests with reckless behavior, the U.K. and its allies are getting on with the hard work of finding a vaccine and protecting global health,” he added.

 

The UK security minister James Brokenshire has said Britain is “more than 95%” sure that Russian state-sponsored hackers targeted UK, US, and Canadian organizations involved in developing a coronavirus vaccine. American intelligence officials said the Russians were aiming to steal the research to develop their own vaccine more quickly, not to sabotage other countries’ efforts. There was likely little immediate damage to global public health, cybersecurity experts said.

 

The allegation states that hackers linked to a foreign government are attempting to siphon secret research during the pandemic that is not entirely new. Russian hackers have targeted British, Canadian, and American organizations using malware and sending fraudulent emails to try to trick their employees into turning over passwords and other security credentials, all in an effort to gain access to the vaccine research as well as information about medical supply chains.

 

On other hand Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, spokesman Dmitry Peskov Kremlin denied claims made by the UK government saying Russia has no information on who was responsible for hacking into pharmaceutical companies and research centers in Britain. He added that Russia has nothing to do with these attempts and it does not accept such accusations nor the latest “groundless allegations” of interference in 2019 UK general elections.