UK warns of ongoing activities by Russian, Iranian hacker groups

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Russian and Iranian-based hacker groups "continue to successfully" target specific individuals and groups in the UK, Britain's cyber-security body warned on Thursday.

In a statement, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which provides cyber security guidance and support, detailed ongoing activity by specific hacker groups to gather information.

"The Russia-based SEABORGIUM … and Iran-based TA453 … continue to successfully use spear-phishing attacks against targeted organisations and individuals in the UK, and other areas of interest, for information gathering activity," it said in a statement.

Then center mentioned how last year the two groups targeted various sectors included academia, defense, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and think-tanks, as well as politicians, journalists and activists.

"The activity is typical of spear-phishing campaigns, where an actor targets a specific individual or group, using information known to be of interest to the targets to engage them," it added.

Despite similarities in the targeting profiles, the two groups' spear-phishing attacks are separate acts, added the center.

"They have also created fake social media or networking profiles that impersonate respected experts … and used supposed conference or event invitations, as well as false approaches from journalists."

The British cyber security body added that SEABORGIUM and TA453 continue to use spear-phishing techniques successfully and have developed the technique to maintain their success.