A hacking group linked to Russian intelligence, known as Star Blizzard, has been identified by Microsoft and U.S. authorities for attempting to infiltrate the systems of numerous Western think tanks, journalists, and former military and intelligence officials. The group employed sophisticated tactics, such as spear phishing emails that appeared to be from trusted sources, to gain access to internal systems, steal information, and disrupt activities.
Star Blizzard's targets included civil society groups, U.S. companies, American military contractors, and the Department of Energy, which oversees nuclear programs. Microsoft and the Department of Justice were authorized by a U.S. court to seize over 100 website domain names associated with Star Blizzard, following a lawsuit filed against the group.
