Apple iPhones Hacked by US Intelligence, Say Russian Authorities
The Russian Federal Security Service FSB has accused a US intelligence agency of hacking Russian iPhones. The attacks allegedly affected a few thousand iPhones, including those belonging to Russian nationals, diplomats, and entities linked to diplomatic missions and embassies inside Russia. The Russian secret service didn’t mention which specific US intelligence agency was behind the alleged incidents. However, according to the FSB, the cyberattacks were related to SIM cards registered with Russia-based diplomats for NATO countries, Israel, and China. In response, an Apple spokesman denied helping any government misuse iPhones and said the company never would.
Kaspersky Employees’ iPhones Hacked
Separately, Moscow-based cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has stated that several dozen of its employees’ iPhones had been hacked. Kaspersky published a detailed blog post with technical specifics on the operations of the hack. According to the timeline in the blog post, the attack went unnoticed for years. Kaspersky did not identify who it believes was behind the attack. An email from a Kaspersky spokesman said the hacking campaign had been discovered earlier this year. The spokesman and a Kaspersky official said that the Russian authorities said the attacks were linked. The spyware worked on an older version of Apple’s operating system, according to Kaspersky.
US Intelligence Concerns
The US has provided intelligence support and military equipment to Ukraine during the ongoing war in Ukraine but is keen to avoid a direct confrontation with Russia. Additionally, last month, the US Department of Justice announced that it had stopped a years-long hacking campaign by a notorious FSB group called “Turla.” Around 50 countries reportedly fell victim to the malware, known as “Snake,” which Russian hackers used for over two decades, said US authorities. The US has previously banned Kaspersky software from federal systems due to espionage fears, while the US Federal Communications Commission classified the Russian company as a security threat to companies, equipment, and services.
Hackers Using Advanced Techniques
Cybersecurity experts who studied Kaspersky’s blog post said the attackers seemed to be using sophisticated techniques to hack iPhones. However, they added that more information was needed to make a conclusive statement. Zero-click attacks are the gold standard for hackers looking to breach computers or mobile devices. The method is sold by commercial surveillance firms, including Israel’s NSO Group. Kaspersky said the hackers infiltrated the devices by sending a malicious attachment through iMessage, and a user did not have to click anything for the hack to work.
Engaging Piece: Cybersecurity at Critical Crossroads
The revelations about cyberattacks on Russian iPhones by a US intelligence agency have once again underscored the importance of cybersecurity in the modern world. More than ever, governments, corporations, and individuals face the risk of being hacked, with many incidents involving sensitive data theft, malware attacks, ransomware, and espionage. Cyberattacks can occur anywhere, at any time, and often use sophisticated techniques and tools. Additionally, they often involve multiple actors, making it challenging to trace their origins.
In today’s increasingly interconnected world, cybersecurity is at a critical crossroads. The rise of new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing has made it easier for hackers to target businesses and individuals worldwide. Furthermore, as governments and corporations rely more on technology for their operations, cyberattacks can disrupt entire systems, leading to significant economic and societal damage.
To address the current cybersecurity challenges, stakeholders must take a multi-pronged approach. We need to start educating people about cybersecurity from an early age. Many cyberattacks occur due to human error, such as clicking on phishing links or using weak passwords. By raising awareness about cybersecurity risks and best practices, we can help individuals take control of their online security.
Governments and organizations must invest more in cybersecurity research and development. This includes enhancing current cybersecurity measures and developing new ones. Additionally, more resources need to go into investigating and prosecuting cybercriminals and cyber espionage cases.
Addressing cybersecurity risks should not be the sole responsibility of governments or big corporations; individuals also need to be proactive in their cybersecurity measures. By using strong, unique passwords, keeping their software and devices up-to-date, and being vigilant against phishing scams, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of being hacked.
In conclusion, as cyberattacks become more sophisticated, it is crucial that we do more to protect ourselves, our businesses, and, ultimately, our society. The current cybersecurity challenges require a concerted and coordinated effort from all stakeholders – governments, companies, and individuals. By working together, we can create a safer and more secure cyber world for all.
Summary:
Apple iPhones owned by Russian nationals and diplomats were allegedly hacked by a US intelligence agency, according to the Russian Federal Security Service. Kaspersky also said that several dozen of its employees’ iPhones were hacked, with the spyware working on the older version of Apple’s operating system. Zero-click attacks were used to infiltrate the devices, with cyber espionage and data theft potential findings. As the cybersecurity landscape becomes increasingly complex, cybersecurity education, investment in research and development, and proactive cybersecurity measures must be taken not only by government and big corporations but also by individuals to protect ourselves and our society.
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Russia’s top security agency accused a US intelligence agency of hacking several thousand iPhones, including devices owned by Russian nationals and others linked to diplomatic missions and embassies in the country.
The statement by the Russian Federal Security Service FSB contained few details and did not specify which US intelligence agency was behind the alleged attacks. That’s what the Russian secret service claimed Apple Inc., the maker of the iPhone, works closely with US intelligence agencies, particularly the National Security Agency. According to the statement, the attacks were related to SIM cards registered with Russia-based diplomats for NATO countries, Israel and China.
An Apple spokesman did not comment on whether Russian iPhones were hacked. However, the spokesman said the company has not, as suggested by the FSB, helped any government misuse iPhones and “never will”. Apple stopped selling the product in Russia after that country’s invasion of Ukraine, but iPhones are still widely available through parallel import programs.
A representative of the NSA declined to comment. Spokespersons for the Chinese and Israeli embassies in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Separately, Moscow-based cybersecurity firm Kaspersky published a blog post stating that several dozen of its employees’ iPhones had been hacked and that it provided technical details on how the operation allegedly worked. According to the timeline in the blog post, the hack went undetected for years. Kaspersky did not say who it believes was behind the attack, which it described as an “extremely complex, professionally targeted cyberattack.”
In an email, a Kaspersky spokesman said the hacking campaign was discovered earlier this year. Russian authorities said the attacks were linked, he and a Kaspersky official said tweeted that the statements by the FSB and Kaspersky are related. Kaspersky said the spyware worked on an older version of Apple’s operating system.
It has not been possible to confirm the claims, which came at a time of decidedly strained US-Russia relations over the ongoing war in Ukraine. The US provides intelligence support and military equipment to Ukraine, but is keen to avoid a direct confrontation with Russia. Additionally, just last month, the US Department of Justice announced that it had halted a years-long hacking campaign by a notorious FSB entity called “Turla.” The malware, named Snake, reportedly affected over 50 countries and was used by Russian hackers for more than 20 years. accordingly the US authorities.
The US government banned the use of Kaspersky software in federal systems in 2017 on fears of espionage, and last year the US Federal Communications Commission listed the Russian company as a national security threat to companies, their equipment and services were classified. Following last year’s Russian invasion of Ukraine, Rob Joyce, director of cybersecurity at the NSA, told Bloomberg News he was “very concerned” about US companies’ use of Kaspersky antivirus products, saying it was “given that global ill-advised situation”.
Cybersecurity experts checking the Kaspersky blog said the hackers appear to be using advanced techniques to crack iPhones, but added that more information is needed to make a definitive statement.
“The complexity of these attacks limits them to just a handful of the world’s most powerful attackers, and I have a feeling we’ll know more about the origins once Apple starts notifying victims,” said Zack Ganot, CEO of the Israel-based Sunday Security, which reviewed Kasperky’s findings.
According to Kaspersky, the hackers infiltrated the devices by sending a malicious attachment through iMessage. A user doesn’t have to click anything for the hack, denoted as “” to work.zero clickAttack. Considered the gold standard for hackers breaking into computers or mobile devices, the method is sold by commercial surveillance companies, including Israel’s NSO Group.
“Kaspersky, arguably one of the best exploit detection companies in the world, was hacked into a potentially zero-day attack on iOS for five years and only now discovered it,” said Patrick Wardle, Kaspersky founder Objective See Foundationa non-profit organization specializing in Apple security tools and former NSA employee.
“It would be very risky to pursue Kaspersky, basically you would have to assume that you would be caught at some point,” he said.
The US government and US-based cybersecurity companies often detail the inner workings of suspected hacking operations by foreign actors, particularly those based in Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. However, it is unusual for these countries to reveal technical details about alleged US hacking campaigns.
In the blog post, CEO Eugene Kaspersky said the spyware, dubbed “triangulation, transmits private information to remote servers: microphone recordings, instant messenger photos, geolocation, and data on a range of other activities.” The threat posed by the attack is the company “Been neutralized,” he said.
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https://fortune.com/2023/06/01/russia-iphones-hacking-u-s-intelligence/
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