Russia

Russian Hackers Have Targeted Anti-Trump Conservatives

Written by SK Ashby

According to multiple reports, hackers associated with Russia intelligence have launched phishing attacks against conservative think tanks that are critical of Trump and Russia.

Microsoft reportedly detected a series of fake websites that would redirect users to pages controlled by the hackers with the goal of hijacking their computers.

From the Washington Post:

Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit, which is responsible for the company’s response to email phishing schemes, took the lead role in finding and disabling the sites, and the company is launching an effort to provide expanded cybersecurity protection for campaigns and election agencies that use Microsoft products.

Among those targeted were the Hudson Institute, a conservative Washington think tank active in investigations of corruption in Russia, and the International Republican Institute (IRI), a nonprofit group that promotes democracy worldwide. Three other fake sites were crafted to appear as though they were affiliated with the Senate, and one nonpolitical site spoofed Microsoft’s own online products.

Microsoft reportedly shut down the fake websites by obtaining a court order to take ownership of their web domains.

Based on reports from multiple outlets, it's not clear if this attack was actually successful, but it appears the fakes were detected before it was too late.

I think it would be naive to believe that Russian hackers haven't compromised the computers of a large number of Republicans including pro-Trump Republicans. They're just keeping what they found close to their vest.