Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
- Germany accuses state-sponsored Russian hackers for cyberattack on Social Democratic Party
- APT28, steered by Russian military intelligence service, blamed for the attack
Germany has accused state-sponsored Russian hackers of launching an “intolerable” cyberattack on the Social Democratic Party (SPD). Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock revealed that the attack, which targeted SPD members, was carried out by a group known as APT28 and controlled by Russia’s military intelligence service. The cyberattack, which was attributed to Russia, has raised concerns about the country’s threat to European security and peace.
The attack on the German Chancellor’s party last year exploited a vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook and also targeted German companies in various sectors. Russia has denied involvement in the cyberattack, but the European Union and NATO have condemned the malicious activities. The EU’s computer security response unit found “concrete signs” of Russian origin in the cyberattack on the SPD.
This incident is not the first time Russian hackers have targeted Germany, with previous incidents reported as far back as 2015. The international community, including the United States, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and NATO, are working together to counter cyber threats and deter future attacks. The cyberattack underscores the growing importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital age.
