Quote:Microsoft has warned that Russian state-backed hackers are targeting sporting and anti-doping organizations yet again in the run up to the next Olympic Games in Tokyo.
 
The group known as Strontium (aka APT 28, Fancy Bear), has been trying to infiltrate at least 16 national and international organizations, with some success, according to Tom Burt, Redmond’s corporate VP of security and trust.
 
“The methods used in the most recent attacks are similar to those routinely used by Strontium to target governments, militaries, think tanks, law firms, human rights organizations, financial firms and universities around the world,” he explained. “Strontium’s methods include spear-phishing, password spray, exploiting internet-connected devices and the use of both open-source and custom malware.”

It’s unclear what they hackers hoped to harvest, but Burt noted that the attacks, which spanned three continents, began on September 16, just before reports emerged that Russia could be facing expulsion from the Olympics and other major sporting events over continued doping irregularities.