Russian Cybergroup Star Blizzard Unleashes Global Spear-phishing Attack:
The attack of cyber fraudsters and hackers has increased all over the world these days.
According to the latest information, a Russian hacking group linked to the Kremlin has launched a global attack including America. They are using links from websites to steal information.
These Star Blizzard hackers, who previously operated under the name Seaborgium, are also known as Callisto Group/ TA446/ ColdDriver/ TAG-53/ BlueCharlie.
The dangerous cyber criminal group is targeting anyone who may have information they can use.
What is Spear-Phishing?
Spear-Phishing is a type of cyber attack in which hackers target those specific people whom the attackers think have the information they need or have direct access to this information.
Spear phishing is a cyber crime that uses email to carry out targeted attacks against individuals and businesses. Criminals use clever tactics to collect personal data about their targets and then send emails that seem familiar and trustworthy.
These emails often contain attachments that contain malicious links to malware, ransomware, etc. Because the emails are written in an overly familiar tone and reference personal information about the recipient, victims mistakenly believe they know and trust the sender and respond to the request.
At this time it cannot be said what information Star Blizzard needs but it is known how their operation works.
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Victims of Star Blizzard So Far:
As of now, cyber group Star Blizzard has attacked the people associated with academics, defense, government organizations etc. in the US and UK.
As per Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the US, the group is also targeting NATO members and countries near China.
How Star Blizzard Hackers Tricks The Victims:
According to CISA, the Star Blizzard hackers use social media and networking platforms to stalk their victims.
Thereafter, they create fake email accounts like Outlook, Gmail etc. as well as social media profiles to impersonate your close contacts or experts.
Hackers can go to great lengths to create malicious websites that appear legitimate just to fool the victims. As per CISA, there have been cases where attackers have created fake event invitations to lure their victims.
From there, they can reach out to the victim and start luring them into their trap. Typically, they will look for common interests to start the conversation.
The hackers then send a malicious link masquerading as Google Drive, OneDrive, or any other link where victims need to log in to a platform.
URLs sent by hackers to victims may appear legitimate, but they are actually designed to trick the victims into entering their credentials or downloading malicious files.
You should never click on any link received from an unknown or suspicious source to avoid such type of scams.
If you do so, hackers can steal your information as soon as you type it, download it, or click on a malicious file or link. Once you do this they have full access to your account and your data will be compromised.
How Can You Protect Yourself From the Attacks of Star Blizzard Hackers?
- Be careful during clicking links in emails or messages from unknown or suspicious sources, especially on social media and networking platforms, as Star Blizzard hackers love to stalk their victims.They can lead you to malicious websites that can steal your information or infect your device with malware.
- Verify the identity of the sender before opening any attachment or downloading any file. You can do this by checking their email addresses, social media profiles or other online presence. If you are not sure, you can verify from another channel.
- Use robust and distinct passwords for your accounts and change them on a regular basis. Be sure to use different passwords for email accounts and try to avoid using the same password over and over again.
- Using the same password on multiple platforms will always make you more vulnerable because if one account gets hacked, they all get hacked. You can also use a password manager to store and generate secure passwords for yourself. This will keep you safe not only from attacks of Star Blizzard but also from any type of cyber attacks.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your online accounts whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code or device to log in. This way, even if a hacking group gets your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the second factor.
- Always keep your software and devices up to date with the latest security updates and patches. This can help you fix any vulnerabilities or bugs that Star Blizzard hackers or any other cyber fraudsters may take advantage of.
- Always use good quality antivirus. Good antivirus software actively running on your device will alert you about any malware in your system, warn you against clicking on any malicious links in phishing emails, and ultimately protect you from getting hacked by Star Blizzard or any other hackers.
If You are a Victim of Star Blizzard Hackers:
You should take following steps if you are a victim of a cyber attack or Star Blizzard attack:
- In order to regain control of your accounts, change your passwords and notify the account provider.
- View bank statements and check account transactions to see where the outside activity originated.
- Use a fraud protection service. Identity theft organizations are able to keep an eye on private data, such as your phone number, email address, and Social Security number, and notify you if it is being used to open accounts or sold on the dark web. They can also assist you in freezing your credit card and bank accounts to stop fraudsters from using them further.
- Report any violations to official government agencies and Cyber Crime Prevention Department. You may want to seek the professional advice of an attorney before speaking to law enforcement, especially when you are dealing with criminal identity theft.
- If you are a victim of identity theft, the most important thing is to take immediate action to minimize the damage and prevent further losses.
Conclusion:
In this way we saw how cyber group Star Blizzard is carrying out cyber attacks all over the world and how it can be saved. If one remains alert, such incidents can be avoided.
That’s all for now my friend! I hope this article will be valuable for you. You can reach me through the emails given below. I will love your valuable comments and feedback.
Yours
Abhijit Ranjan