At a certain point, they include an infected file in the communications to get access to the target’s data. The group’s work did not appear to be directly related to Moscow’s efforts to interfere with 2016 and 2020 U.S. elections, F.B.I. officials said on Thursday, but were part of President Vladimir V. Putin’s broader efforts to undermine confidence in democratic institutions. Russia-aligned groups have been accused of infiltrating government agencies, multinational corporations and other organizations across the United States and Europe. Mixed with online disinformation campaigns, the incursions have tried to influence elections, conduct espionage and sow social discord among Western democracies.

Source: The Times December 07, 2023 19:07 UTC