A new round of the weekly Security Affairs newsletter has arrived! Every week, the best security articles from Security Affairs are free in your email box. Enjoy a new round of the weekly SecurityAffairs newsletter, including the international press. Censys finds 5,219 devices exposed to attacks by Iranian APTs, majority in U.S. GlassWorm evolves with…
Category: Russia
AI, Global Security News, malware, Russia
GlassWorm evolves with Zig dropper to infect multiple developer tools
The GlassWorm campaign uses a Zig-based dropper hidden in a fake IDE extension to infect developer tools and compromise systems. The GlassWorm campaign, active since 2025, has evolved from malicious npm packages to large-scale supply chain attacks across GitHub, npm, and VS Code, even deploying RATs via fake browser extensions. In its latest iteration, threat…
AI, Apps, china, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Network Security, Russia
Commerce setting up new AI export regime to push adoption of ‘American AI’ abroad
The Department of Commerce is putting together a catalog of AI tools that will be given special export status by the federal government to be sold abroad. The department issued a call for proposals to participating companies in the Federal Register, looking to create a “menu of priority AI export packages that the U.S. Government…
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, Russia
Hacker Unknown now known, named on Europol’s most-wanted list
German police have pinned a name to one of the world’s most notorious hackers. Danii Shchukin operated under the names of UNKN or Unknown and GandCrab and was, according to German police, the leader of one of the largest globally active ransomware groups, known as GandCrab/Revi. Shchukin is known to have been operating since 2019.…
AI, Cybersecurity, Exploits, Global Security News, Russia
Malicious PDF reveals active Adobe Reader zero-day in the wild
Hackers used an Adobe Reader zero-day for months. Researcher Haifei Li found a malicious PDF and asks the community to help analyze it. Hackers used an Adobe Reader zero-day for months to deliver a sophisticated PDF exploit. Cybersecurity researcher Haifei Li, founder of Expmon, discovered the malicious file and warned the community. On March 26,…
AI, Cybersecurity, Endpoint, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Russia
Inside the FBI’s router takedown that cut off APT28’s ‘tremendous access’
The recent FBI-led operation to knock Russian government hackers off routers sought to topple an especially insidious and threateningly contagious cyberespionage campaign, top bureau cyber official Brett Leatherman told CyberScoop. Researchers, along with U.S. and foreign government agencies, revealed details of the campaign this week by which APT28 — also known as Forest Blizzard or…
AI, Apps, Data Breaches, Endpoint, Exploits, Global Security News, Network Security, Risk Management, Russia
Adobe Acrobat Reader Zero Day Exploited in Active PDF Attacks
Attackers have been exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader for months, using malicious PDF files to silently steal data and potentially take over victim systems. Active since at least Dec. 2025, the campaign highlights how a seemingly routine document can serve as an effective entry point for system compromise. This exploit “allows the…
AI, china, Global Security News, Russia
Inside the Race to Protect Submarine Cables From Sabotage
The U.S. and allies are turning to tech, patrols and new routes to defend crucial underwater data infrastructure against Russia and China.
Global Security News, malware, Russia
Russia’s Forest Blizzard Nabs Rafts of Logins Via SOHO Routers
Heard of fileless malware? How about malwareless cyber espionage? Russia’s APT28 is spying on global organizations by modifying just one DNS setting in vulnerable routers.
AI, Compliance, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Network Security, privacy, Russia
LinkedIn is spying on you, and you agreed to nothing
LinkedIn has been secretly scanning your browser for over 6,000 installed extensions — on every single click you make. It can tell if you’re job hunting, what religion you are, and whether you have ADHD. And none of this is mentioned anywhere in their privacy policy. Meanwhile, California’s crypto millionaires are learning that no amount…
AI, Data Breaches, Europe, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Network Security, Risk Management, Russia
Russia-linked APT28 uses PRISMEX to infiltrate Ukraine and allied infrastructure with advanced tactics
APT28 targets Ukraine and allies with PRISMEX malware, using stealthy techniques for espionage and command-and-control. Russia-linked group APT28 (aka UAC-0001, aka Fancy Bear, Pawn Storm, Sofacy Group, Sednit, BlueDelta, and STRONTIUM) is running a spear-phishing campaign against Ukraine and its allies, deploying a new malware suite called PRISMEX. Active since September 2025, the campaign uses advanced stealth techniques like steganography and…
AI, Global Security News, Russia
Operation Masquerade: FBI Disrupts Russian Router Hacking Campaign
Operation Masquerade: The FBI and DoJ disrupted a Russian GRU campaign that hijacked routers via DNS attacks to spy on users and steal credentials.
AI, Global Security News, malware, Russia
APT28 Deploys PRISMEX Malware in Campaign Targeting Ukraine and NATO Allies
The Russian threat actor known as APT28 (aka Forest Blizzard and Pawn Storm) has been linked to a fresh spear-phishing campaign targeting Ukraine and its allies to deploy a previously undocumented malware suite codenamed PRISMEX. “PRISMEX combines advanced steganography, component object model (COM) hijacking, and legitimate cloud service abuse for command-and-control,” Trend Micro
Global Security News, Russia
Russian Forest Blizzard Hackers Hijack Home Routers for Global Spying
Microsoft Threat Intelligence reveals how Russian hacking group Forest Blizzard uses home routers for DNS hijacking and spying.
AI, Data Breaches, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Network Security, Risk Management, Russia
Forest Blizzard leverages router compromises to launch AiTM attacks, target Outlook sessions
Russian threat actor Forest Blizzard has been exploiting unsecured home and small-office internet equipment, such as routers, to redirect traffic through attacker-controlled DNS servers. The group has leveraged this DNS hijacking activity to support post-compromise adversary-in-the-middle (AiTM) attacks on Transport Layer Security (TLS) connections, targeting Microsoft Outlook on the web domains, according to a Microsoft…
AI, Data Breaches, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Network Security, Risk Management, Russia
Forest Blizzard leverages router compromises to launch AiTM attacks, target Outlook sessions
Russian threat actor Forest Blizzard has been exploiting unsecured home and small-office internet equipment, such as routers, to redirect traffic through attacker-controlled DNS servers. The group has leveraged this DNS hijacking activity to support post-compromise adversary-in-the-middle (AiTM) attacks on Transport Layer Security (TLS) connections, targeting Microsoft Outlook on the web domains, according to a Microsoft…
AI, Compliance, Cybersecurity, Data Breaches, Global Security News, Network Security, privacy, Russia
The tabletop exercise grows up
In the early 1800s, Prussian officers began rehearsing battles around sand tables. They called it Kriegsspiel, and it worked because it forced them to make high-stakes decisions under pressure. Fast forward to today, and that same concept has become cybersecurity’s go-to tool for crisis preparedness: the tabletop exercise. For good reason: it still works. Full…
AI, Compliance, Cybersecurity, Data Breaches, Global Security News, Network Security, privacy, Russia
The tabletop exercise grows up
In the early 1800s, Prussian officers began rehearsing battles around sand tables. They called it Kriegsspiel, and it worked because it forced them to make high-stakes decisions under pressure. Fast forward to today, and that same concept has become cybersecurity’s go-to tool for crisis preparedness: the tabletop exercise. For good reason: it still works. Full…
AI, Europe, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Network Security, Russia
Feds quash widespread Russia-backed espionage network spanning 18,000 devices
Russian state-sponsored attackers compromised more than 18,000 routers spread across more than 120 countries to gain deeper access to sensitive networks for a large-scale espionage campaign before it was recently neutralized, researchers and authorities said Tuesday. Forest Blizzard, also known as APT28 and Fancy Bear, exploited known vulnerabilities to steal credentials for thousands of TP-Link…
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Network Security, Russia
Russia Hacked Routers to Steal Microsoft Office Tokens
Hackers linked to Russia’s military intelligence units are using known flaws in older Internet routers to mass harvest authentication tokens from Microsoft Office users, security experts warned today. The spying campaign allowed state-backed Russian hackers to quietly siphon authentication tokens from users on more than 18,000 networks without deploying any malicious software or code. Microsoft…
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, Russia
Russian State-Linked APT28 Exploits SOHO Routers in Global DNS Hijacking Campaign
The Russia-linked threat actor known as APT28 (aka Forest Blizzard) has been linked to a new campaign that has compromised insecure MikroTik and TP-Link routers and modified their settings to turn them into malicious infrastructure under their control as part of a cyber espionage campaign since at least May 2025. The large-scale exploitation campaign has been codenamed
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, Russia
Russian hackers hijack internet traffic using vulnerable routers
The Russian state cyber group APT28 has been compromising routers to hijack web traffic and spy on victims, the UK’s The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned. Attackers are exploiting vulnerable routers to alter DHCP and DNS settings, redirecting traffic through servers they control. “We assess that APT28 is almost certainly the Russian General…
AI, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Network Security, Russia
Major outage cripples Russian banking apps and metro payments nationwide
A major outage hit Russian banking apps and payments, blocking card use, cash withdrawals, and mobile access for hours. A widespread outage disrupted banking apps and payment systems across Russia, leaving customers unable to pay by card, withdraw cash, or access mobile banking for hours. According to The Record Media, the incident affected major banks,…
Global Security News, Russia
German authorities identify REvil and GangCrab ransomware bosses
The Federal Police in Germany (BKA) has identified two Russian nationals as the leaders of GandCrab and REvil ransomware operations between 2019 and 2021. […]
Global Security News, Russia
German authorities identify REvil and GandCrab ransomware bosses
The Federal Police in Germany (BKA) has identified two Russian nationals as the leaders of GandCrab and REvil ransomware operations between 2019 and 2021. […]
AI, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, malware, Russia
BKA unmasks two REvil Ransomware operators behind 130+ German attacks
German police BKA identified two key REvil ransomware members, linking them to over 130 attacks in Germany. Germany’s Federal Criminal Police (BKA) has identified two key figures behind the REvil ransomware group, linking them to more than 130 attacks in the country. The first suspect is Daniil Maksimovich Shchukin (31), a Russian national known online…
AI, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Network Security, Russia
Germany Doxes “UNKN,” Head of RU Ransomware Gangs REvil, GandCrab
An elusive hacker who went by the handle “UNKN” and ran the early Russian ransomware groups GandCrab and REvil now has a name and a face. Authorities in Germany say 31-year-old Russian Daniil Maksimovich Shchukin headed both cybercrime gangs and helped carry out at least 130 acts of computer sabotage and extortion against victims across…
AI, china, Cybersecurity, Data Breaches, Europe, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Network Security, privacy, Risk Management, Russia, Venture
Security Affairs newsletter Round 571 by Pierluigi Paganini – INTERNATIONAL EDITION
A new round of the weekly Security Affairs newsletter has arrived! Every week, the best security articles from Security Affairs are free in your email box. Enjoy a new round of the weekly SecurityAffairs newsletter, including the international press. Qilin ransomware group claims the hack of German political party Die Linke U.S. CISA adds a…
AI, Data Breaches, Global Security News, malware, Network Security, Risk Management, Russia
Qilin ransomware group claims the hack of German political party Die Linke
Qilin ransomware claims it stole data from Germany’s Die Linke and threatens to leak it; the party confirmed the incident, but not a breach. The Qilin ransomware group claims it stole data from Die Linke, a German political party, and is threatening to release it. Die Linke is a left-wing political party in Germany. Its…
Global Security News, Russia
AI Future: The Leading International AI and Web3 Forum to Take Place in April
Moscow, Russia, 3rd April 2026, CyberNewswire
AI, Global Security News, malware, Russia
CrystalX RAT: new MaaS malware combines spyware, stealer, and remote access
CrystalX RAT, a new sophisticated MaaS malware, combines spyware, data theft, and remote access, allowing attackers to monitor victims. In March 2026, Kaspersky researchers uncovered a Telegram-based campaign promoting a previously unknown malware sold as a MaaS with three subscription tiers. The Trojan offers a wide range of features, including RAT capabilities, data theft, keylogging,…
AI, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Russia
Threat actor UAC-0255 impersonate CERT-UA to spread AGEWHEEZE malware via phishing
Threat actors impersonated CERT-UA to send phishing emails with AGEWHEEZE malware, tricking victims into installing a fake “security tool.” A threat actor, tracked as UAC-0255, impersonated CERT-UA in a phishing campaign, sending emails to about 1 million users. The messages urged victims to download a password-protected archive from Files.fm and install a fake “specialized software,”…
AI, china, Europe, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Russia
European-Chinese geopolitical issues drive renewed cyberespionage campaign
A Chinese cyberespionage group has shifted its gaze back to Europe after years of focusing on other parts of the world, Proofpoint research published Wednesday found. The surge began in mid-2025, with a bevy of issues bubbling up between China and Europe, the company said. Proofpoint labels the government-linked group TA416, but other companies track…
AI, Apps, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Network Security, Russia
UAC-0255 Attack Detection: Threat Actors Impersonate CERT-UA to Infect Ukrainian Public and Private Sector Organizations With AGEWHEEZE RAT
Phishing remains one of the most effective tools in the cybercriminal arsenal, especially when threat actors abuse the credibility of trusted institutions and familiar digital services to increase victim interaction. In late March 2026, CERT-UA revealed a phishing campaign tracked as UAC-0255 in which attackers impersonated the agency and attempted to infect organizations across Ukraine’s…
AI, china, Endpoint, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Network Security, privacy, Risk Management, Russia
Free VPNs leak your data while claiming privacy
Most free Android VPNs track users, request dangerous permissions, and connect to risky servers, privacy comes at a hidden cost. Free VPN apps are some of the most popular downloads on Android, promising privacy at no cost. But the reality is far from what they advertise. Most users tap “install” without a second thought, unaware…
AI, Apps, Europe, Global Security News, Government & Policy, privacy, Russia
Euro-Office billed as Europe’s sovereign alternative to Microsoft Office
A group of European technology firms has launched a new open-source office suite aimed at offering a sovereign alternative to Microsoft Office. Euro-Office consists of four core applications — a document editor, spreadsheet program, presentation tool, and PDF editor — and is built on the open-source OnlyOffice suite. It supports Microsoft Office file formats DOCX,…
AI, Apps, Cybersecurity, Endpoint, Europe, Exploits, Global Security News, privacy, Risk Management, Russia
Fortinet hit by another exploited cybersecurity flaw
Yet another critical flaw in a Fortinet product has come to light as attackers continue to target the company, this time by actively exploiting a critical SQL injection vulnerability in the cybersecurity company’s management server. The vulnerability, (CVE-2026-21643), allows unauthenticated threat actors to execute arbitrary code on unpatched systems via specifically-crafted HTTP requests. These low-complexity…
Cybersecurity, Global Security News, Russia
Russian CTRL Toolkit Delivered via Malicious LNK Files Hijacks RDP via FRP Tunnels
Cybersecurity researchers have discovered a remote access toolkit of Russian-origin that’s distributed via malicious Windows shortcut (LNK) files that are disguised as private key folders. The CTRL toolkit, according to Censys, is custom-built using .NET and includes various executables” to facilitate credential phishing, keylogging, Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) hijacking, and reverse tunneling
AI, Europe, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Network Security, Russia
Russia-linked APT TA446 uses DarkSword exploit to target iPhone users in phishing wave
Russia-linked TA446 is using the DarkSword iOS exploit kit in targeted phishing campaigns to compromise iPhone users. Russia-linked APT group TA446 (aka SEABORGIUM, ColdRiver, Callisto, and Star Blizzard) is using the DarkSword exploit kit in targeted spear-phishing campaigns against iOS devices. The attacks rely on malicious emails to compromise iPhones, highlighting a growing threat from…
AI, Apps, china, Cybersecurity, Data Breaches, Europe, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Network Security, Risk Management, Russia
Security Affairs newsletter Round 569 by Pierluigi Paganini – INTERNATIONAL EDITION
A new round of the weekly Security Affairs newsletter has arrived! Every week, the best security articles from Security Affairs are free in your email box. Enjoy a new round of the weekly SecurityAffairs newsletter, including the international press. ShinyHunters claims the hack of the European Commission Iran-linked group Handala hacked FBI Director Kash Patel’s…
AI, Cybersecurity, Exploits, Global Security News, Russia
TA446 Deploys Leaked DarkSword iOS Exploit Kit in Targeted Spear-Phishing Campaign
Proofpoint has disclosed details of a targeted email campaign in which threat actors with ties to Russia are leveraging the recently disclosed DarkSword exploit kit to target iOS devices. The activity has been attributed with high confidence to the Russian state-sponsored threat group known as TA446, which is also tracked by the broader cybersecurity community…
AI, APAC, Apps, Compliance, Cybersecurity, Endpoint, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Network Security, Risk Management, Russia
Security leaders say the next two years are going to be ‘insane’
SAN FRANCISCO — Every RSA Conference has its buzzwords. Cloud. Ransomware. Zero trust. Plastered across the 87-acre Moscone Center complex on every booth, banner and bar. This year was AI, with vendors pitching AI-powered solutions to every security problem imaginable. But 2026 stood out for a different reason: Industry leaders spent the conference warning about…
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, Russia
Wartime Usage of Compromised IP Cameras Highlight Their Danger
The list of countries exploiting internet-connected cameras to give them eye’s inside their adversaries’ borders continues to expand, with Russia, Iran, Israel, Ukraine, and the United States all using the tactic. What should companies look out for?
AI, Apps, Compliance, Cybersecurity, Data Breaches, Exploits, Global Security News, Network Security, Risk Management, Russia
Critical Vulnerabilities, Insider Threats, and AI-Driven Cybercrime Define the Week
Major Threats & Vulnerabilities Zero-Day and Critical CVE Exploits Oracle’s emergency patch for CVE-2026-21992 addressed a critical remote code execution flaw in Identity Manager and Web Services Manager with a CVSS score of 9.8. The vulnerability could allow unauthenticated attackers to fully compromise systems. Administrators are urged to patch immediately despite no known active exploitation.…
AI, Global Security News, Russia
Bearlyfy Hits 70+ Russian Firms with Custom GenieLocker Ransomware
A pro-Ukrainian group called Bearlyfy has been attributed to more than 70 cyber attacks targeting Russian companies since it first surfaced in the threat landscape in January 2025, with recent attacks leveraging a custom Windows ransomware strain codenamed GenieLocker. “Bearlyfy (also known as Labubu) operates as a dual-purpose group aimed at inflicting maximum damage upon…
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, malware, Risk Management, Russia
Coruna exploit reveals evolution of Triangulation iOS exploitation framework
Kaspersky found Coruna iOS exploits reuse updated code from the 2023 Operation Triangulation attacks, suggesting a possible link. Kaspersky researchers discovered that the Coruna iOS exploit kit uses an updated version of the same kernel exploit seen in the 2023 Operation Triangulation campaign. While early evidence didn’t clearly link the two, the code similarities now…
Global Security News, Russia
Russia arrests suspected owner of LeakBase cybercrime forum
Russian police arrested a Taganrog resident believed to be the owner of LeakBase, a major online forum used by cybercriminals to buy and sell stolen data and hacking tools. […]
AI, Data Breaches, Global Security News, malware, Russia
Russian authorities arrest alleged LeakBase admin behind stolen data marketplace
Russian authorities arrested the alleged LeakBase admin for running a marketplace selling stolen data since 2021. Russian law enforcement has arrested the suspected administrator of LeakBase, a cybercrime forum used to trade stolen personal data. The suspect, from Taganrog, is accused of running the platform since 2021. During a search of his home, authorities seized…
AI, Global Security News, malware, Russia
Alleged RedLine infostealer conspirator extradited to US
An operation to crack down on the widely used RedLine infostealer has netted the extradition of an Armenian man to the United States, where he made an initial appearance in a Texas court Wednesday. Authorities charged Hambardzum Minasyan with conspiracy to commit access device fraud, conspiracy to violate the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and…
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, malware, Network Security, Russia
Russian national convicted for running botnet used in attacks on U.S. firms
A Russian hacker got 2 years in prison, $100K fine, and $1.6M judgment for running a botnet used in ransomware attacks on U.S. firms. Russian national Ilya Angelov (40) was sentenced to 24 months in prison for operating a botnet used to carry out ransomware attacks on dozens of U.S. companies. He was also fined…
AI, Global Security News, Russia
LeakBase Admin Arrested in Russia Over Massive Stolen Credential Marketplace
The alleged administrator of the LeakBase cybercrime forum has been arrested by Russian law enforcement authorities, state media reported Thursday. According to TASS and MVD Media, a news website linked to the Russian Interior Ministry, the suspect is a resident of the city of Taganrog. The suspect is said to have been detained for creating…
AI, Global Security News, Russia
Botnet operator behind $14 million in ransomware extortion payments gets 24 months behind bars
A Russian national has been sentenced to 24 months in prison after admitting he managed a botnet used to launch ransomware attacks against dozens of U.S. companies. The judge also imposed a $100,000 fine and ordered him to forfeit $1.6 million linked to the scheme. Court records show that from 2017 to 2021, Ilya Angelov,…
AI, Global Security News, Russia
Russian Hacker Sentenced to 2 Years for TA551 Botnet-Driven Ransomware Attacks
The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) said a Russian national has been sentenced to two years in prison for managing a botnet that was used to launch ransomware attacks against U.S. companies. Ilya Angelov, 40, of Tolyatti, Russia, was also fined $100,000. Angelov, who went by the online aliases “milan” and “okart,” is said to…
AI, Global Security News, Russia
Manager of botnet used in ransomware attacks gets 2 years in prison
A Russian national has been sentenced to two years in prison after admitting that the phishing botnet he managed was used to launch BitPaymer ransomware attacks against 72 U.S. companies. […]
AI, china, Cybersecurity, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Risk Management, Russia
DarkSword’s GitHub leak threatens to turn elite iPhone hacking into a tool for the masses
Leaked iOS spyware has some cybersecurity professionals raising urgent alarms about potential mass iPhone compromises, a development that pairs ominously with the recent discovery of two sophisticated iOS exploit kits. At the same time, some other experts say Apple’s defensive features for iPhones remain elite. But several factors have created unprecedented circumstances: the public accessibility…
AI, Apps, china, Compliance, Cybersecurity, Data Breaches, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Network Security, Risk Management, Russia
Critics call FCC router rule a ‘big swing’ that could create more supply chain uncertainty
The Federal Communications Commission’s move to ban foreign-made routers touches on a real threat, but critics say the agency rule is overly broad, practically unworkable and doesn’t meaningfully address weaknesses in router security that have led to major breaches on American governments and businesses. Under the Secure Equipment Act and Secure Networks Act, the FCC…
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, malware, Network Security, Russia
Russian access broker sentenced to over 6 years in prison for ransomware schemes
A federal court in Indiana sentenced a Russian cybercriminal to 81 months in prison on charges related to his role as an initial access broker for ransomware groups. Aleksei Volkov, 26, of St. Petersburg, Russia, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to six federal charges stemming from his work with the Yanluowang ransomware group and other…
AI, Global Security News, Network Security, Russia
Russian initial access broker helped ransomware gangs extort millions, sentenced to 81 months
A Russian citizen, Aleksei Volkov, was sentenced to 81 months in prison for helping ransomware groups carry out attacks causing over $9 million in actual losses and over $24 million in intended losses, after being arrested in Italy and extradited to the United States where he pleaded guilty. According to prosecutors, Volkov was an initial…
Global Security News, Russia
Yanluowang ransomware access broker gets 81 months in prison
A Russian national was sentenced to nearly 7 years in prison after pleading guilty to acting as an initial access broker (IAB) for Yanluowang ransomware attacks. […]
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, malware, Network Security, Russia
81-month sentence for Russian hacker behind major ransomware campaigns
U.S. sentences Russian hacker Aleksei Volkov to 81 months in prison for aiding ransomware attacks, causing over $9M in damages. A U.S. court sentenced Aleksei Olegovich Volkov to 81 months in prison for supporting ransomware groups like Yanluowang. He helped carry out dozens of attacks, causing over $9M in losses. Arrested in Italy in 2024…
Global Security News, Russia
Russian Initial Access Broker Handed 81-Month Sentence
Russian cybercriminal Aleksei Volkov has received close to seven years behind bars for role in Yanluowang ransomware
AI, Global Security News, Russia
U.S. Sentences Russian Hacker to 6.75 Years for Role in $9M Ransomware Damage
A 26-year-old Russian citizen has been sentenced in the U.S. to 6.75 years (81 months) in prison for his role in assisting major cybercrime groups, including the Yanluowang ransomware crew, in conducting numerous attacks against U.S. companies and other organizations. According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ), Aleksei Olegovich Volkov facilitated dozens of ransomware…
AI, Data Breaches, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Russia
FBI: Iranian hackers targeting opponents with Telegram malware
Iranian government-connected groups are deploying malware via the Telegram messaging app, taking aim at dissidents and other opponents of Tehran around the world, the FBI said in an alert Friday. The FBI said attackers linked to the Ministry of Intelligence and Security are behind the campaign, which stretches back to 2023. The bureau is escalating…
AI, Apps, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Russia
Russian hackers go after high-value targets through Signal
Russian intelligence-linked hackers are targeting commercial messaging platforms, with Signal a primary focus, the FBI and CISA warn. The campaign is aimed at individuals of intelligence interest, including government personnel, journalists, and others with access to sensitive communications. It is believed that the campaign has compromised thousands of commercial messaging applications accounts. People who use…
AI, Apps, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Risk Management, Russia
Russia-linked actors target WhatsApp and Signal in phishing campaign
Russia-linked actors target WhatsApp and Signal accounts of officials and journalists via phishing, gaining access to messages and contacts. Threat actors linked to Russian Intelligence Services are running phishing campaigns to hijack high-value accounts on messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal, the FBI warns. “The FBI has identified cyber actors associated with Russian Intelligence Services targeting…
AI, Apps, china, Cybersecurity, Data Breaches, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Network Security, Russia
Security Affairs newsletter Round 568 by Pierluigi Paganini – INTERNATIONAL EDITION
A new round of the weekly Security Affairs newsletter has arrived! Every week, the best security articles from Security Affairs are free in your email box. Enjoy a new round of the weekly SecurityAffairs newsletter, including the international press. WorldLeaks ransomware group breached the City of Los Angels PolyShell flaw exposes Magento and Adobe Commerce…
AI, Apps, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, Russia
FBI Warns Russian Hackers Target Signal, WhatsApp in Mass Phishing Attacks
Threat actors affiliated with Russian Intelligence Services are conducting phishing campaigns to compromise commercial messaging applications (CMAs) like WhatsApp and Signal to seize control of accounts belonging to individuals with high intelligence value, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said Friday. “The campaign
AI, Global Security News, Russia
FBI links Signal phishing attacks to Russian intelligence services
The FBI has issued a public service announcement warning that Russian intelligence-linked threat actors are actively targeting users of encrypted messaging apps such as Signal and WhatsApp in phishing campaigns that have already compromised thousands of accounts. […]
AI, Apps, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Risk Management, Russia
FBI, CISA issue PSA on Russian intelligence campaign to target messaging apps
Russian intelligence-affiliated hackers have gained access to thousands of users’ messaging apps with a global phishing campaign, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned in a public service announcement on Friday. The high-value targets they’re pursuing include current and former U.S. government officials, political figures, military personnel and journalists, the two agencies…
AI, APAC, Cybersecurity, Europe, Global Security News, Russia
Water utilities strengthen cybersecurity through cooperation
Water utilities are finding that letting information flow can flush out cybersecurity problems. The water industry has a security issue: Many utilities operate with ageing systems and minimal IT or cybersecurity personnel. But by coordinating responses to cyber-attacks, participants in a pilot program run by the Cyber Readiness Institute (CRI) and the Center on Cyber…
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Risk Management, Russia
Apple urges iPhone users to update as Coruna and DarkSword exploit kits emerge
Apple warns that outdated iPhones are vulnerable to Coruna and DarkSword exploit kits and urges users to update iOS. Apple has warned that iPhones running outdated iOS versions are at risk from exploit kits like Coruna and DarkSword. These attacks use malicious web content to trigger infection chains that can steal sensitive data. Users are…
AI, Apps, china, Europe, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Network Security, Russia
Data Centers Are Military Targets Now
In retaliation for the ongoing U.S.–Israeli war, Iran responded with a novel form of counterattack. For the first time in military history, private sector data centers came under deliberate attack. In an era when companies known for e-commerce, social networks, and search engines have also become close collaborators with militaries, is bombing their servers fair…
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Russia
Russian hackers exploit Zimbra flaw in Ukrainian govt attacks
Hackers part of APT28, a state-backed threat group linked to Russia’s military intelligence service (GRU), are exploiting a Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS) vulnerability in attacks targeting Ukrainian government entities. […]
AI, Cybersecurity, Europe, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Russia
Russian APT targets Ukraine via Zimbra XSS flaw CVE-2025-66376
Russian APT exploits a critical XSS flaw in Zimbra, tracked as CVE-2025-66376, running scripts via HTML emails to target users in Ukraine. Russia-linked threat actor exploits a high-severity XSS vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-66376 (CVSS score of 7.2), in Zimbra Collaboration. Attackers exploited insufficiently sanitized HTML emails to run scripts when opened, targeting users in Ukraine.…
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Risk Management, Russia
DarkSword emerges as powerful iOS exploit tool in global attacks
DarkSword, a new iOS exploit kit, is used by multiple actors to steal data in campaigns targeting Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Malaysia, and Ukraine. Lookout Threat Labs discovered a new iOS exploit kit called DarkSword that has been used since late 2025 by multiple threat actors, including surveillance vendors and likely nation-state actors. The toolkit enables…
AI, Europe, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Risk Management, Russia
Russia establishes Vienna as key western spy hub targeting NATO
Russia uses Vienna as its largest Western spy hub, monitoring NATO and other sensitive communications via diplomatic sites and satellite dishes. Western intelligence reports that Russia has transformed Vienna into its largest Western spy hub, steadily expanding surveillance over the past two years. Using diplomatic compounds and rooftop satellite clusters, Russia monitors sensitive communications across…
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Russia
Second iOS exploit kit emerges from suspected Russian hackers using possible U.S. government-developed tools
Researchers have discovered a second instance of suspected Russian hackers repurposing iOS exploits believed to originally be made on behalf of the U.S. government, pointing to what they say are several foreboding trends. iVerify, Lookout and Google collaborated on the research published Wednesday, a follow-up to earlier revelations about a similar exploit kit, Coruna. While…
AI, Europe, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Politics, Risk Management, Russia
Tracking the Iran War: A Month of Escalation and Regional Impact
Iran war likely prolonged, increasing cyber threats, energy disruption, and instability, with companies in the Middle East facing higher risk. Resecurity (USA) released a strategic intelligence update on the war in Iran, covering nearly a month of military conflict. The conflict has shifted global attention and resources, placing other ongoing conflicts like Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Gaza, and…
AI, APAC, Cybersecurity, Data Breaches, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Network Security, Risk Management, Russia
Trump administration isn’t pushing companies to conduct cyber offense, national cyber director says
National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross said Tuesday that the Trump administration isn’t aspiring to enlist the private sector to conduct offensive cyber operations, but instead to help the government by keeping them abreast of the threats they’re facing. The recently-released national cyber strategy talks about incentivizing companies to disrupt the networks of adversaries. “I’m not…
AI, Global Security News, malware, Russia
Russia-linked APT uses DRILLAPP backdoor to spy on Ukrainian targets
Russia-linked threat actors target Ukrainian entities with DRILLAPP backdoor and use Edge debugging for stealth. A new DRILLAPP backdoor campaign targets Ukrainian organizations, abusing Microsoft Edge debugging to evade detection. Observed in February 2026, it shows links to previous Russian-aligned operations by Laundry Bear APT group (aka UAC-0190, Void Blizzard) using the PLUGGYAPE malware family…
Global Security News, Russia
Free parking in Russia after Distributed Denial-of-Service attack knocks city’s parking system offline
Drivers in the Russian city of Perm have been enjoying an unexpected bonus this week: free parking. Not because the city council suddenly decided to embrace generosity – but rather because hackers succeeded in knocking the city’s payment system offline. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Risk Management, Russia
Former Germany’s foreign intelligence VP hit in Signal account takeover campaign
Former BND VP Arndt Freytag von Loringhoven was targeted in a Signal cyberattack, part of a wave hitting officials and politicians in Germany. A cyberattack targeting Signal and WhatsApp users has hit high-ranking German officials, including former BND Vice President Arndt Freytag von Loringhoven. The official reported being contacted by someone posing as Signal support…
AI, Global Security News, malware, Russia
DRILLAPP Backdoor Targets Ukraine, Abuses Microsoft Edge Debugging for Stealth Espionage
Ukrainian entities have emerged as the target of a new campaign likely orchestrated by threat actors linked to Russia, according to a report from S2 Grupo’s LAB52 threat intelligence team. The campaign, observed in February 2026, has been assessed to share overlaps with a prior campaign mounted by Laundry Bear (aka UAC-0190 or Void Blizzard)…
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, malware, Russia
ClickFix techniques evolve in new infostealer campaigns
Cybercriminals are combining compromised websites with increasingly sophisticated ClickFix social engineering lures to deliver new infostealer malware, with one campaign alone weaponizing more than 250 WordPress sites across 12 countries. The campaign leads to stealthy in-memory payloads, while a separate attack detected by Microsoft targets Windows Terminal for payload execution instead of the traditional Run…
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, malware, Russia
SECURITY AFFAIRS MALWARE NEWSLETTER ROUND 88
Security Affairs Malware newsletter includes a collection of the best articles and research on malware in the international landscape Malware Newsletter New BoryptGrab Stealer Targets Windows Users via Deceptive GitHub Pages Inside Coruna: Reverse Engineering a Nation-State iOS Exploit Kit From JavaScript ClipXDaemon: Autonomous X11 Clipboard Hijacker Delivered via Bincrypter-Based Loader New A0Backdoor Linked to…
AI, china, Cybersecurity, Data Breaches, Europe, Exploits, Global Security News, malware, Network Security, Russia
Security Affairs newsletter Round 567 by Pierluigi Paganini – INTERNATIONAL EDITION
A new round of the weekly Security Affairs newsletter has arrived! Every week, the best security articles from Security Affairs are free in your email box. Enjoy a new round of the weekly SecurityAffairs newsletter, including the international press. Starbucks data breach impacts 889 employees Storm-2561 lures victims to spoofed VPN sites to harvest corporate…
AI, Data Breaches, Europe, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Russia
Hackers targeted Poland’s National Centre for Nuclear Research
Hackers targeted Poland’s National Centre for Nuclear Research, but security systems detected and blocked the attack before any damage. The National Centre for Nuclear Research in Poland reported a cyberattack on its IT infrastructure. The intrusion attempt was quickly detected by security systems, allowing staff to secure the targeted systems and prevent any operational impact.…
AI, Apps, Global Security News, Russia
A React-based phishing page with credential exfiltration via EmailJS, (Fri, Mar 13th)
On Wednesday, a phishing message made its way into our handler inbox that contained a fairly typical low-quality lure, but turned out to be quite interesting in the end nonetheless. That is because the accompanying credential stealing web page was dynamically constructed using React and used a legitimate e-mail service for credential collection. But before…
AI, Apps, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Risk Management, Russia
How AI is changing your mind
Humanity is diving headlong into a global experiment. More than 1 billion people have a new and unprecedented source of information and cognitive guidance: artificial intelligence (AI) trained on trillions of words. So, how exactly are AI chatbots affecting our minds, thoughts, beliefs and opinions? Scientists are scrambling to find out — and reports that…
AI, china, Cybersecurity, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Network Security, Politics, Russia
Stryker attack highlights nebulous nature of Iranian cyber activity amid joint U.S.-Israel conflict
A cyberattack that an Iranian hacking group said it carried out against medical device manufacturer Stryker might mark Tehran’s first significant cyber action since the start of the joint U.S.-Israel conflict. But even that may have been a happy accident for Iranian hackers in what has been a low buzz of activity during that timeframe,…
Apps, Global Security News, malware, Russia
BlackSanta Malware Targets HR Staff with Fake CV Downloads
Aryaka researchers have identified a new threat from a Russian-speaking group using ‘BlackSanta’ malware. By disguising attacks as job applications, hackers are bypassing security to target recruitment workflows.
AI, china, Cybersecurity, Endpoint, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Network Security, Risk Management, Russia
12 ways attackers abuse cloud services to hack your enterprise
Attackers are increasingly abusing trusted SaaS platforms, cloud infrastructure, and identity systems to blend malicious activity into legitimate enterprise traffic. Adversaries are pushing command and control (C2) through high-reputation services, including OpenAI and AWS, to blend in with normal business traffic and evade blocklists. The shift from “living off the land” to “living off the…
Global Security News, malware, Russia
New ‘BlackSanta’ EDR killer spotted targeting HR departments
For more than a year, a Russian-speaking threat actor targeted human resource (HR) departments with malware that delivers a new EDR killer named BlackSanta. […]
Global Security News, malware, Russia
Russian Threat Actor Sednit Resurfaces With Sophisticated Toolkit
After several years of using simple implants, the Russia-affiliated actor is back with two new sophisticated malware tools.
AI, Cybersecurity, Exploits, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Russia
APT28 conducts long-term espionage on Ukrainian forces using custom malware
APT28 used BEARDSHELL and COVENANT malware to spy on Ukrainian military personnel, enabling long-term surveillance since April 2024. The Russia-linked group APT28 (aka UAC-0001, aka Fancy Bear, Pawn Storm, Sofacy Group, Sednit, BlueDelta, and STRONTIUM) has used BEARDSHELL and COVENANT malware to conduct long-term surveillance of Ukrainian military personnel. According to ESET, the campaign began in April 2024 and relies on…
AI, Endpoint, Global Security News, malware, Russia
HR, recruiters targeted in year-long malware campaign
An attack campaign targeting HR departments and job recruiters has been stealthily compromising systems, Aryaka researchers have discovered. By avoiding analysis environments and leveraging a specialized module designed to kill antivirus and endpoint detection software, the Russian-speaking attacker(s) behind this campaign have managed to keep their activity largely under the radar. “We currently lack telemetry…
AI, Global Security News, malware, Russia
‘BlackSanta’ EDR Killer Targets HR Workflows
A campaign by Russian-speaking cyberattackers hijacks workflows to deliver security-busting malware, allowing attackers to steal data without detection.
AI, Global Security News, Russia
This spy tool has been quietly stealing data for years
ESET researchers have traced the resurgence of Sednit through a modern toolkit built around two complementary implants, BeardShell and Covenant, each relying on a separate cloud provider to ensure operational resilience. This dual-implant architecture has enabled sustained surveillance of Ukrainian military personnel since at least April 2024. The Sednit group itself was tied to Unit…
AI, Global Security News, malware, Russia
APT28 Uses BEARDSHELL and COVENANT Malware to Spy on Ukrainian Military
The Russian state-sponsored hacking group tracked as APT28 has been observed using a pair of implants dubbed BEARDSHELL and COVENANT to facilitate long‑term surveillance of Ukrainian military personnel. The two malware families have been put to use since April 2024, ESET said in a new report shared with The Hacker News. APT28, also tracked as…
Global Security News, Russia
Russian Hackers Target WhatsApp and Signal Accounts of Global Military and Government Officials
Dutch intelligence reveals Russian state hackers are trying to hijack the Signal and WhatsApp accounts of key targets