Meanwhile: Russia is attempting to steal coronavirus vaccine research, U.S., U.K. and Canada claim

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Russia is attempting to steal coronavirus vaccine research, U.S., U.K. and Canada claim

A group called "APT29,"the Dukes" or "Cozy Bear" has been using malware to target various groups across the three countries, officials said.

July 16, 2020, 9:38 AM EDT
By Alexander Smith
LONDON — Hackers from Russia's intelligence services have been attempting to steal information related to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, British officials said Thursday.

The attacks have been carried out by a group called "APT29, also known as "the Dukes" or "Cozy Bear," which has been been using malware to target various organizations across the three countries, the United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Centre said in a statement.

The United States' National Security Agency and Canada's Communications Security Establishment both agree with the assessment, the British officials said.

"It is completely unacceptable that the Russian intelligence services are targeting those working to combat the coronavirus pandemic," British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement. "While others pursue their selfish interests with reckless behavior, the U.K. and its allies are getting on with the hard work of finding a vaccine and protecting global health."