Iran-linked spies used Christmas as cover for spearphishing, researchers say
A cyber-espionage group linked to the Iranian government timed a mobile phishing campaign with the Christmas holidays, using email and text messages to target individuals at think tanks, universities and elsewhere, according to new research. Known as Charming Kitten, APT35 or Phosphorous, the group sent fake text messages from “Google Account Recovery” and fake emails with Christmas content, reports the cybersecurity organization CERFTA, which specializes in Iran-related research. The goal was to use malicious web pages to capture login credentials and “steal sensitive data from their victims,” CERTFA said. “The group started the new round of attacks at a time when most companies, offices, organizations, etc. were either closed or half-closed during Christmas holidays and, as a result, their technical support and IT departments were not able to immediately review, identify, and neutralize these cyber incidents,” CERTFA says. “Charming Kitten has taken full advantage of this timing to execute its […]
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