Who Star Blizzard has attacked so far
So far, Star Blizzard has attacked people tied to academics, defense, government organizations, and more in both the U.S. and the U.K. According to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the group is also targeting NATO members and countries near China.
What is spear-phishing
Spear-phishing is an attack where hackers target specific groups or individuals. They think their victims either have the information they want or have direct access to it. In this case, we don’t know what information Star Blizzard wants. However, we do know how their operation works.
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How Star Blizzard hackers use social engineering to trick you
According to the CISA, Star Blizzard hackers will use social media and networking platforms to stalk their victims. They’ll take their time to really get to know their target.
They’ll then create fake email accounts such as Outlook, Gmail, and others, plus social media profiles to impersonate your close contacts or experts. Hackers will even go so far as to create malicious websites that appear to be legitimate to fool you. And the CISA says there have been cases where attackers have created fake event invitations to lure their victims.
The trap of Star Blizzard hackers
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How you can protect yourself from Star Blizzard hackers
Be careful about clicking on links in emails or messages from unknown or suspicious sources, especially on social media and networking platforms, as that’s how Star Blizzard hackers like to stalk their victims. They might lead you to malicious websites that can steal your information or infect your device with malware.
Verify the identity of the sender before opening any attachments or downloading any files. You can do this by checking their email address, social media profile, or other online presence. If you are not sure, you can contact them through another channel to confirm.
Use strong and unique passwords for your online accounts and change them regularly. Be sure to use separate passwords for email accounts and try to avoid re-using the same passwords over and over again. You can also use a password manager to store and generate secure passwords for you. This way, you can prevent cybercriminals like Star Blizzard hackers from accessing your accounts if they compromise one of them.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your online accounts whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code or a device to log in. This way, even if the Russian hacking group gets your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the second factor.
Keep your software and devices updated with the latest security patches and updates. This can help you fix any vulnerabilities or bugs that Star Blizzard hackers might exploit.
Have good antivirus software on all your devices:
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I’ve been scammed by Star Blizzard hackers! What to do next?
Look through bank statements and checking account transactions
Use a Fraud protection service
1 million dollars to cover losses and legal fees white glove fraud resolution team where a US-based case manager
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Report any breaches
You may wish to get the professional advice of a lawyer
Alert all three major credit bureaus
Run your own background check
Kurt’s key takeaways
Let’s take a step back and look at the big picture: a Russian hacker group connected to the Kremlin is breaking into Americans’ computers and stealing our information. With global strife growing, it’s important we protect ourselves on all fronts, including the cyber front. Make sure you’re protected by using antivirus software, a password manager, and other tools.
What are some other ways you protect yourself online? Are you worried about the threat of global hacking groups? Let us know by commenting below.
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