DOJ, Microsoft seize more than 100 domains used by the FSB. The simultaneous actions targeted the Star Blizzard espionage operation, which went after government and civil society groups around the world.
Posted by Budget_Gene7093
DOJ, Microsoft seize more than 100 domains used by the FSB. The simultaneous actions targeted the Star Blizzard espionage operation, which went after government and civil society groups around the world.
Posted by Budget_Gene7093
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**From CyberScoop reporter AJ Vicens:** Microsoft and the U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday announced the seizure of more than 100 domains used by a Russian-backed hacking unit to target more than two dozen civil society organizations between January 2023 and August 2024.
Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit filed a lawsuit with the NGO Information Sharing and Analysis Center (NGO-ISAC) to seize 66 unique domains used by a hacking group Microsoft tracks as Star Blizzard, but which the [U.S.](https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-russian-nationals-working-russias-federal-security-service-charged-global-computer), [British](https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/files/Advisory-Russian-FSB-cyber-actor-star-blizzard-continues-worldwide-spear-sphishing-campaigns.pdf), and other western governments have attributed to the Russian Federal Security Service, more commonly known as the FSB.
The Department of Justice simultaneously seized 41 additional domains used by the same group, which it described as an operational unit within the FSB’s Center 18. The U.S. government [indicted two Russian nationals](https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-russian-nationals-working-russias-federal-security-service-charged-global-computer) working with the group in December 2023, levied sanctions against them and offered a $10 million reward for information on their location.
“Rebuilding infrastructure takes time, absorbs resources, and costs money,” Steven Masada, assistant general counsel of Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit, said in a statement. “By collaborating with DOJ, we have been able to expand the scope of disruption and seize more infrastructure, enabling us to deliver greater impact against Star Blizzard.” Read the full story here: [https://cyberscoop.com/doj-microsoft-fsb-espionage-star-blizzard/](https://cyberscoop.com/doj-microsoft-fsb-espionage-star-blizzard/)