In recent events, Microsoft experienced a series of outages earlier this month, which have been attributed to a hacking group. This group had been engaged in a string of attacks on various targets, including Israel, Sweden, and several other nations. Cybersecurity researchers have identified a growing campaign associated with these attacks, which they believe may be linked to Russia.
A newly emerged group known as Anonymous Sudan, which became active in January 2023, has recently taken responsibility for a series of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks targeting Australian companies. These attacks have affected various sectors, including healthcare, aviation, and education organizations.
In a recent statement, Microsoft officially acknowledged that the disruptions experienced by its Outlook service in early June were caused by a DDoS attack. Anonymous Sudan has claimed responsibility for this particular attack and publicly attributed it to their group.
Identifying themselves as a loosely organized collective of hacktivists, the group adopted a name that implied their association with Sudan. They explicitly stated their intention to focus on Australian organizations in March, citing their objection to attire exhibited at a fashion festival in Melbourne. The clothing in question featured Arabic text reading "God walks with me."
According to cybersecurity experts, it has been determined that the group operating under the name "Anonymous Sudan" is believed to originate from Russia. Their motives and objectives differ significantly from what they claim, as their true purpose appears to be aligned with advancing Moscow's agenda.
By leveraging their supposed Islamic affiliations, the group aims to advocate for enhanced collaboration between Russia and the Islamic world, often asserting Russia's support for Muslims. This strategic positioning allows them to serve as a convenient proxy for advancing Russian interests, as stated by Mattias Wåhlén, a threat intelligence specialist at Truesec, based in Stockholm.
In response to inquiries, a spokesperson representing Anonymous Sudan refuted any claims of acting on behalf of Russia while affirming shared interests. The spokesperson clarified that the group targets entities deemed antagonistic towards Islam, emphasizing that any country considered hostile to Islam is also regarded as hostile to Russia.
