Microsoft Systems Compromised: Russian Hackers Target Company’s Email Accounts
In an unprecedented event, Microsoft has disclosed a cyberattack on its systems orchestrated by a group of hackers associated with Russia.
According to the company’s official statement, the hackers successfully breached a limited number of email accounts,
including those of top-level management and employees in the fields of cybersecurity and legal affairs.
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It is worth noting that the company responded immediately to the attack, swiftly repairing the affected systems.
While this action may result in some disruptions, it reflects Microsoft’s commitment to ensuring the security of its systems.
According to the report published on the company’s official blog, there is currently no evidence that the hackers have gained access to customer systems or Microsoft servers operating external products. The company also confirmed no indication that the group, known as “Midnight Blizzard,” accessed source code or artificial intelligence systems.
“Midnight Blizzard” is part of the “Nobelium” group, a group of sophisticated hackers believed to be working on behalf of a Russian government entity, as explicitly linked by the U.S. government.
This recent incident underscores global concerns about the continued evolution of sophisticated cyberattacks, especially following the previous attack on SolarWinds, which was part of extensive espionage efforts targeting U.S. government agencies.
In a similar context, Microsoft reported that the hackers used a “password spray” attack starting from November to compromise its systems. This cyber technique, known as a “brute-force attack,” involves intruders rapidly attempting multiple passwords on specific user accounts to gain unauthorized access to targeted company accounts.
Reports indicate that the hackers not only restricted themselves to compromising accounts but also gained access to email messages and attached documents.
Despite the company’s discovery of the attack on January 12, it continues to notify affected employees and coordinate efforts with the U.S. government to examine the attack details and provide support to other potential victims.
Ultimately, this incident highlights the imperative for companies to intensify cybersecurity efforts and focus on enhancing system security, a commitment Microsoft has accelerated in recent times.
Microsoft Systems Compromised