US, Others Accuse Russia of Attempted Hacks on Virus Vaccine Development

LONDON (AP) — Britain, the United States and Canada accused Russian hackers on Thursday of trying to steal information from researchers seeking a coronavirus vaccine, warning scientists and pharmaceutical companies to be alert for suspicious activity.

Intelligence agencies in the three nations alleged that the hacking group APT29, also known as Cozy Bear and said to be part of the Russian intelligence services, is attacking academic and pharmaceutical research institutions involved in COVID-19 vaccine development.

“It is completely unacceptable that the Russian Intelligence Services are targeting those working to combat...

Russian state-based hackers have targeted Western COVID-19 vaccine development, the cybersecurity agencies of the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada say.

APT29, a hacker group that has been linked to the Kremlin and Russian-sanctioned hacking campaigns, undertook a campaign to steal information and intellectual property around the development and testing of vaccines for the novel coronavirus.

The campaign sought to “hinder response efforts at a time when healthcare experts and medical researchers need every available resource to help fight the pandemic” reads a joint statement from the three countries.

The...