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Security officials in the US, UK and Canada are warning of a new slew of Russian cyberattacks. These attacks are targeting labs involved in the creation of vaccines for the novel coronavirus. According to officials, these attacks are being carried out by “Cozy Bear,” the smug nickname for Russian hacking enclave ATP29.
The UK National Cyber Security Centre issued a warning on the situation. “APT29’s campaign of malicious activity is ongoing, predominantly against government, diplomatic, think tank, healthcare and energy targets to steal valuable intellectual property,” the UK government said in a press release. This is par the course for the group, which is alleged to have interfered in the UK’s 2019 election as well as the US’s 2016 election.
The advisory from the UK holds that the hacking group is targeting labs trying to make a vaccine for the novel coronavirus. The reasoning for these attacks is unclear. However, some security specialists have theorized that the attack is likely meant to further destabilize Western nations. The US, in particular, is the world’s COVID-19 epicenter.
It would track that Russian elements with potential ties to the Kremlin would add fuel to the fire. The US is more partisan and divided than ever before. However, the looming election threatens to score a decisive blow for either party. Meanwhile, it’s unlikely that the novel coronavirus will have stopped being a major threat by November, in time for the election. Attempts to undermine a medical response to the virus could serve to see the death toll in the US steadily rise.
Russian authorities have claimed complete ignorance of the alleged attacks. “We do not have information regarding who could have hacked pharmaceutical companies and research centers in the UK,” stated Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesman. “We can say one thing — Russia has nothing to do with these attempts and we do not accept such accusations just like we don’t accept yet another set of unfounded accusations of interference in the 2019 elections.”
However, Western officials are unconvinced. There have been scattered discussions of sanctions leveled at Russia, including deprioritizing Russian internet traffic. However, this would be easier said than done. Millions of people live in the country. Denying average citizens access to their internet TV providers and social media would be unfair, to say the least.
Meanwhile, officials warn that the hacking group is unlikely to stop targeting government agencies and think tanks any time soon. Labs are cautioned to be careful with storing their files electronically.
