Microsoft says that a hacking group previously linked to the Russian government and US political hacks is behind recent cyber attacks that have exploited a new Windows security flaw.
The software maker said on its Web site there had been a small number of attacks using “spear phishing” e-mails from a hacking group known as Strontium, which is also more widely known as “Fancy Bear,” or APT 28. Microsoft did not identify any victims.
The new attacks and the link to Russia come after Washington accused Moscow of launching an unprecedented hacking campaign aimed at disrupting and discrediting next week’s US election.
Microsoft said it would issue a patch to protect Windows users. It would be released on November 8, which is Election Day. It was not clear whether the Windows vulnerability had been used in recent US political hacks.
