geopolitical tensions Archives

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Russian government seizes Lesta Studio assets

The Russian government has taken control of Lesta Studio's assets, which manages Wargaming's interests in Russia, due to allegations of extremist activities involving Wargaming's CEO, Victor Kislyi, and Lesta Studio's head, Malik Khatazhaev. Wargaming exited the Russian and Belarusian markets in April 2022, divesting its local assets to Lesta Studio at zero cost and on a debt-free basis, and currently holds no assets or business interests in those countries.

Winsage

March 20, 2025

China, Russia, North Korea Hackers Exploit Windows Security Flaw

Almost a dozen state-sponsored threat groups from nations including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are exploiting a security vulnerability in Microsoft Windows, identified as ZDI-CAN-25373, to conduct espionage and gather sensitive information. This vulnerability affects how Windows handles .lnk files, allowing attackers to execute hidden malicious commands. Since 2017, these groups have targeted government, military, and critical infrastructure organizations globally, with 11 state-sponsored groups identified, primarily focusing on espionage (70%) and financial motives (20%). North Korea accounts for 45.5% of the exploitation, with Iran and Russia at 18.2% each, and China at 18.1%. The United States has experienced the most attacks (343 incidents), followed by Canada (39), Russia (25), and South Korea (23). Despite being notified, Microsoft does not plan to issue a patch for this vulnerability, categorizing it as "low severity."

AppWizard

February 28, 2025

Russian hackers find ways to snoop on Ukrainian Signal accounts

Hackers are employing deceptive tactics to compromise the security of Ukrainian users by enticing them to scan malicious QR codes, allowing hackers to intercept messages in real time. Recent findings from Google have identified Russia-linked groups, UNC4221 and UNC5792, disseminating altered Signal "group invite" links targeting Ukrainian military personnel. Signal, known for its end-to-end encryption, has not shown vulnerabilities in its encryption protocol, but its "linked devices" functionality is being exploited to bypass security measures. In response, Signal's senior technologist announced an overhaul of the user interface, additional authentication steps, and notifications for new linked devices to enhance user protection against social engineering attacks.

AppWizard

August 26, 2024

Founder of Telegram messaging app Pavel Durov arrested in France, sources say | CBC News

Pavel Durov, the founder of the Telegram messaging app, was taken into custody at Le Bourget airport near Paris due to an existing arrest warrant in France. His arrest has led to significant reactions, including a warning from Moscow and criticism from Elon Musk regarding free speech in Europe. Telegram stated it complies with EU regulations and defended Durov, asserting he has nothing to hide. The investigation into Durov relates to allegations that Telegram facilitated crimes due to insufficient moderation. Durov, with an estimated net worth of .5 billion, has aimed for Telegram to remain a neutral platform, particularly during geopolitical tensions. Following his arrest, Russia's Foreign Affairs Ministry demanded access to him, citing his French citizenship. The platform faces increasing scrutiny from European nations over security and data privacy issues.

AppWizard

August 10, 2024

Russia blocks access to Signal messaging app across the country

Russia's state communications authority, Roskomnadzor, has blocked access to the Signal messaging app due to alleged non-compliance with anti-terrorism regulations. Reports indicate that users began experiencing access issues on August 8, with Roskomnadzor stating that the blockade aims to prevent the use of the app for terrorist and extremist purposes. Speculation suggests the disruptions may be related to military actions by Ukraine, as Ukrainian Armed Forces are believed to use Signal for communication. Additionally, there have been reports of YouTube outages in Russia, with users experiencing service interruptions. An anonymous source claims the government has been throttling YouTube since July to shift blame onto Google, while the Kremlin attributes the issues to outdated equipment. YouTube remains a crucial platform for free expression in Russia, utilized by opposition figures and independent media.

AppWizard

August 9, 2024

Moonly app exposed location of 6M users; potential Russian ties

The Moonly astrology application, with around 6 million users, experienced a data breach that exposed sensitive user information, including addresses, email addresses, birth dates, GPS locations, and employee credentials. A publicly accessible database linked to Cosmic Vibrations Inc. was discovered, containing data from a backup dated April 19, 2024. The breach raised security concerns, particularly due to the leaked GPS locations and the potential for hacking attempts given the exposure of birth dates and email addresses. While employee passwords were hashed, some were cracked, increasing the risk of unauthorized access to the database. Additionally, evidence suggests that Moonly's management may be based in Russia, with employee logins traced to the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Indonesia, raising concerns about the company's operations and potential circumvention of US sanctions. Moonly has not publicly addressed these issues.

Tech Optimizer

June 21, 2024

U.S. to Ban Kaspersky Antivirus Software Over Alleged Russian Connections – PUNE.NEWS

U.S. officials have banned the sale of Kaspersky software due to concerns that the Russian government could access sensitive information through the software.

Tech Optimizer

June 21, 2024

Kaspersky Antivirus Sales Banned In The US Over Russia Ties: Here’s What We Need To Know

Kaspersky Lab expressed disappointment in the US decision to ban its software, attributing it to geopolitical tensions. The ban will start on September 29, with a 100-day transition period for businesses to find alternative solutions. The Commerce Department will entity list two Russian units and one UK-based unit of Kaspersky Lab.