The UK's National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) said that Russian hackers, led by Russian intelligence agencies, tried to steal information about the development of a coronavirus vaccine in the UK, Canada and the United States.
The report clarifies that the "cyber espionage group" APT29, or Dukes and Cozy Bear, which is "almost certainly" part of the Russian intelligence structure, has been carrying out attacks on various organizations that participated in the creation of the drug throughout the year.
According to the NCSC, hackers used malicious software WellMess and WellMail and phishing to gain access to the developers' computers. From the point of view of intelligence, many of these data were not valuable, but the stolen information can allegedly be used later or in case they become significant.
In the UK, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are being developed by two research centers: the University of Oxford and Imperial College in London. The British media, citing information from sources in the special services, write that both organizations were “attacked by hackers”.
In turn, the Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov called the allegations of the British side unfounded. "We do not have information about who could have hacked pharmaceutical companies and research centers in the UK. We can say one thing - Russia has nothing to do with these attempts. We do not accept such accusations," said the Kremlin spokesman.
Hundreds of laboratories around the world are searching for a COVID-19 vaccine. The World Health Organization has said that without creating a vaccine, a pandemic cannot be defeated. Currently, nine research centers have begun clinical trials in the world. In Russia, clinical trials should begin in June. The Russian Ministry of Health expects a vaccine to appear at the end of July.
Earlier, E Hacking News reported that accusations of the British authorities against Russia of allegedly stealing coronavirus developments by Russian hackers are "typical corona - madness".
