CyberSecurity news
FlagThis - #cyberwarfare
|
@tomshardware.com
//
Finnish authorities have detained the Eagle S, a Russia-linked oil tanker, for allegedly damaging undersea power and data cables in the Baltic Sea. The tanker, registered in the Cook Islands and owned by Caravella LLCFZ in the United Arab Emirates, was carrying oil from Russia to Egypt when the incident occurred on Christmas Day. The vessel is suspected to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet, a group of older, poorly maintained ships used to circumvent international sanctions on oil exports, further raising concerns about potential sabotage of critical infrastructure. Initial investigations indicate the ship's anchors are missing, and are thought to be the cause of the damage.
The Eagle S is under investigation for the damage to the Estlink 2 power cable connecting Finland and Estonia, as well as three other internet lines. This incident follows a series of similar events in the Baltic Sea, including damage to other subsea cables and pipelines. Officials, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, have expressed serious concern over the increasing frequency of these incidents, suggesting they may be deliberate attacks against vital structures. The Eagle S has been moved to Finnish territorial waters as the investigation continues into what is now being treated as suspected sabotage. Recommended read:
References :
@csoonline.com
//
Recent reports have surfaced indicating that the US government ordered a temporary halt to offensive cyber operations against Russia, a decision that has stirred considerable debate and concern within the cybersecurity community. According to an exclusive report, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth instructed U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) to suspend all planning against Moscow, including offensive digital actions. The directive, delivered to CYBERCOM chief Gen. Timothy Haugh, appears to be part of a broader effort by the White House to normalize relations with Russia amid ongoing negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine.
The decision to pause cyber operations has been met with skepticism and warnings from cybersecurity professionals, who fear the potential consequences of reducing vigilance against a known digital adversary. Concerns have been raised about potential increases in global cyber threats and a decrease in shared confidence in the U.S. as a defensive partner. However, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has denied these reports, labeling them as fake news and a danger to national security. CISA also noted that Russia has been at the center of numerous cybersecurity concerns for the U.S. Recommended read:
References :
@tomshardware.com
//
A Russian-linked 'dark fleet' ship, the Eagle S, initially suspected of severing undersea cables between Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day, has been found to be equipped with advanced spying technology. This revelation suggests a dual-purpose operation, combining physical infrastructure damage with signals intelligence gathering. The ship, part of a fleet known for circumventing sanctions, was boarded in the Baltic Sea by Finnish authorities, who discovered equipment for intercepting and recording signals intelligence, including monitoring NATO naval and aircraft frequencies.
The spying equipment, described as abnormal for a merchant vessel, was reportedly so power-hungry it caused repeated blackouts on board. Sources indicate the gear was operated by a mix of Russian, Turkish, and Indian personnel. This discovery, coupled with the suspected cable cutting, raises serious concerns about the security of critical infrastructure and the potential for hostile intelligence activities. NATO chief Mark Rutte has assured Finland and Estonia of added military support following these incidents. Recommended read:
References :
info@thehackernews.com (The Hacker News)@The Hacker News
//
References:
securityaffairs.com
, The Hacker News
,
Romania's presidential election has been annulled following allegations of significant Russian interference, prompting a global outcry. The Constitutional Court cited evidence of a coordinated disinformation campaign involving over 25,000 fake pro-Georgescu accounts on TikTok, alongside more than 85,000 cyberattacks targeting election websites and IT systems. Leaked election-related credentials were also discovered on a Russian hacker forum, further solidifying suspicions of state-sponsored meddling. This unprecedented action underscores the increasing sophistication of foreign interference in democratic processes, leveraging social media platforms and advanced cyber capabilities to manipulate election outcomes.
The European Union has responded swiftly, issuing an urgent request to TikTok for information regarding Russia's role in the election turmoil. This follows a previous order for TikTok to preserve all election-related data. The US State Department also weighed in, stating that Romanians must have confidence in the fairness and integrity of their elections, free from foreign malign influence. The annulment of the election results and the subsequent investigation highlight the vulnerability of democratic systems to sophisticated cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns, prompting renewed focus on election security and the role of social media platforms in safeguarding democratic processes. Recommended read:
References :
|