Google said it will provide free hardware security keys to 10,000 high-risk users. A few days ago, the company warned thousands of Gmail users that they were the target of some supported hackers. The warning issued by the Google Threat Analysis Team (TAG) reminded more than 14,000 Gmail users that they have become the target of a state-sponsored phishing campaign by APT28 (also known as Fancy Bear), which is said to be composed of agents of the Russian GRU intelligence agency.
Fancy Bear has been active for more than a decade, but it is widely known for invading the Democratic National Committee and its false information and influencing election activities before the 2016 US presidential election. These warnings indicate that they are targeted rather than compromised. If we warn you, then we are very likely to block them, Google’s TAG director Shane Huntley wrote on Twitter on Thursday. The increase this month comes from the activities of a small number of targets, which have been blocked.
Huntley added that these warnings are normal for individuals such as activists, journalists and government officials because this is the goal of government-supported entities. If you are an activist/reporter/government official or working in a national security agency, this warning should not be a surprise to be honest. At some point, some supported entities may try to send you something. He said.
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Google said in a blog post that it will send security keys throughout 2021 to encourage users to join its advanced protection program (APP), which protects users with high-profile and sensitive information who may be exposed to Targeted online attacks. The security key makes phishing attacks more difficult to work because the security key can only be used to unlock accounts on legitimate websites.
In addition, Google also announced the establishment of new and expanded partnerships with the International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES), UN Women and the non-profit organization Defense Digital Campaign (DDC) to enhance the safety of its most dangerous users.
Through cooperation with the latter, Google stated that it has provided Titan security keys to more than 180 eligible federal campaigns during the 2020 U.S. election season, adding that it is now working with the organization to provide state-level security Campaigns and political parties, committees and related organizations provide further protection, including seminars and training on how to prevent cyberattacks.