• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Jobs
  • Career
    • Cyber Security Training
    • Work from Home
    • Cyber Security Analyst
    • Remote Work – Six Ways to Keep Your Data Safe When Working Remotely
  • Field Guide
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Deals
  • News
AskCyberSecurity.com

AskCyberSecurity.com

Cyber Security News & Information

  • Home
  • Data Privacy
    • Gamers
    • Government Cyber Security
      • Legislation
      • Standards
        • What are the risks of computer security?
        • Medical Cyber Security
    • Social Media
  • Security
    • Data Breaches
    • Scams
    • Malware
  • Software
    • Apps
    • Web Browsers
  • Glossary
    • Cyber Security Acronyms
  • About Ask Cyber Security
    • Authors
    • Contact Us
  • VPN
    • How Do I Know If My VPN is Working?
    • Best Free VPN iPhone
    • Why Use a VPN?
    • NordVPN vs IPVanish
    • Private Internet Access Download
    • Best VPN for Streaming
      • TikTok VPN
    • VPN Porn
    • Computer Security Software – What You Really Need
  • Tutorials
  • ChatGPT
    • Does ChatGPT Save Data?
AskCyber Home » News » News » Norway Police Says Russian Threat Actors Behind Cyberattack on Parliament

Norway Police Says Russian Threat Actors Behind Cyberattack on Parliament

2020-12-11 by Max

Stortng Cyberattack

Bruteforce attack on the Storting is the work of Russia’s APT28

Note: We may earn a commission from products or services when you click on a link and make a purchase.

Norway’s Police Security Service released the findings of an investigation of an attack on the Storting. This past summer the Storting, Norway’s parliament, was impacted via brute force cyberattack. The investigation has concluded that a Russian advanced persistent threat (APT) group is responsible.

“As Norway’s Legislative Assembly, the Storting is a strong symbolic target, and is one of the most important pillars for the integrity of Norwegian sovereignty and for the democratic processes between Norwegian elected representatives” the from Norway’s Police Security Service notice stated.

Norwegian investigators found that the attack on the Storting was a part of a larger effort with other national and international targets.

Links to Russia’s APT28

“The analyzes show that it is likely that the operation was carried out by the cyber actor referred to in open sources as APT28 and Fancy Bear. This actor is linked to Russia’s military intelligence service GRU, more specifically their 85th Special Services Center (GTsSS).”

Russia’s APT28, or Advanced Persistent Threat group 28, are nation-state sponsored organized threat actors. They are also known by the monikers Fancy Bear, Sofacy, Sednit, and STRONTIUM. APT28 typically targets organizations connected to military intelligence, National Defense , or geopolitical issues. They are known for their use of Zebrocy Delphi malware.

APT28 is also connected to the Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) 85thMain Special Service Center (GTsSS), military unit 26165.

In September, APT28 was found impersonating NATO in a malware campaign. The cybercriminals targeted governmental organizations with spyware. Zebrocy malware was used to capture computer screenshots an exfiltrate files to their servers located in France.

In August, the US National Security Agency (NSA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a joint alert about APT28’s malware called Drovorub which means “firewood” or “wood” in English. Drovorub malware is used against Linux machines. It can execute arbitrary commands and upload or download files.

Simple Bruteforce Password Attack

The Norwegian investigation found the cybercriminals used a tactic known as bruteforcing to break into user accounts and emails. A bruteforce password attack is a simple but effective tactic. In a bruteforce attack the attacker is guessing at passwords usually with the help of some computer automations. The attacker users a dictionary of common passwords and in succession to attempt to log into a user’s account. If a password doesn’t work the attacker simply moves on and tries the next one on the list. They keep trying passwords until one of them eventually works. This is often an automated process accomplished with a dictionary of common passwords and computer script to enter them into a login screen.

Lack of strong password requirements and the failure to use two-factor authentication (2FA) contributed to the success of the Storting attack.

Investigators also found that after hackers compromised email accounts and user accounts they attempted to move deeper into the Storting’s network. Details were not released.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Europe

About Max

Max is a Data Privacy Coordinator at a major global law firm and a science fiction author residing in the Philadelphia area. He has been writing for https://www.askcybersecurity.com since early 2017.


LinkedInTwitterFacebook

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter

We Don't Share or Sell Your Info

Web Browsers

Where Are My Saved Passwords in Chrome?

Google Removes 70 Malicious Browser Add-ons from Chrome Web Store

Firefox 75 Reports Your Browser Settings to Mozilla

Categories

Cyber Security Field Guide

Computer Security While TravelingGet Our Cyber Security Field Guide - Available on Amazon!

Recent Posts

Security Marketing Manager – Remote

Sr. Associate, Cybersecurity Architect – Pfizer

Strategic Customer Success Manager – Cybersecurity – Opportunity for Working Remotely

Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

ISU Cybersecurity Leader Job Opening

Cyber Security News

Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

… [Read More...] about Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

Apple Warns of Actively Exploited Zero-Day Flaw

… [Read More...] about Apple Warns of Actively Exploited Zero-Day Flaw

IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

… [Read More...] about IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

National Cybersecurity Alliance Announces Data Privacy Week

… [Read More...] about National Cybersecurity Alliance Announces Data Privacy Week

More Cyber Security News

Tags

amazon Android Apple bitcoin China chrome CISA credit card DarkSide DHS DOJ Equifax Europe Facebook facial recognition FBI Firefox FTC games GDPR Google Government hacker identity theft India iPhone Iran IRS LinkedIn Microsoft North Korea PayPal phishing phishing email ransomware REvil Russia smartphone T-Mobile TikTok tutorial VPN WhatsApp WiFi Windows

Government

CBP Looks to Access Airline Passenger Data

FTC Releases Cyber Threat Video Playlist

Malware Found on US Government Funded Phones

UK NCA Reaches Out to Youth to Deter Cybercrimes

More Posts from this Category

Footer

Menu

  • Home
  • About
  • Authors
  • Newsletter Signup
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Search

Why Use a VPN?

NordVPN vs IPVanish VPN Review

NAVIGATION

  • Data Breaches
  • Data Privacy
  • Gamers
  • Scams
  • Malware

MEMBER NJCCIC

New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell

STAY CONNECTED

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • RSS

Copyright © 2023 · AskCyberSecurity.com · METRONY, LLC

Go to mobile version