Microsoft is taking down Russian hackers with the help of IP lawyers, and able to reveal Fancy Bear hacking network operating behind cyber-squatted domains
Microsoft is not the first name you think of when you talk about vigilantism. But a team of Microsoft lawyers is using trademark law to sue Russian hacking group Fancy Bear off the web, for using domain names that infringe its copyright.
In the process, the software giant has gained an insight into how the group – believed to be a front for Russian intelligence – is set up.
The Daily Beast reports that Fancy Bear (aka Pawn Strorm, Stronium and Sofacy) have cybersquatted a bunch of domains that look a lot like a number of big companies – Microsoft being a prime example. They then use them to communicate with malware on infected computers.
Once Microsoft successfully wrestles control of the domains back, they get a view of all the servers controlled by their ursine adversaries.
« In other words, » says Microsoft outside counsel Sten Jenson, « any time an infected computer attempts to contact a command-and-control server through one of the domains, it will instead be connected to a Microsoft-controlled, secure server. »
In total, Redmond has managed to ambulance-chase 70 domains back from Fancy Bear since the initiative began.
This is good news for anyone with any level of power. Fancy Bear is responsible for hacking everyone from NATO, The White House and countless media and military agencies.
It has also been implicated in attacking the campaign if Hillary Clinton last year as part of alleged interference from Russia in the US presidential election. In fact, Fancy Bear was named in US papers before the finger of blame was pointed at Russia itself.
This Friday, a judge in Alexandria, Virgina will hear a Microsoft motion for a final, default judgement with permanent injunction against Fancy Bear.
Among the domains listed are livemicrosoft [.] net, rsshotmail [.] com and actblues [.] com, said to be the source of the hack on Mrs Clinton’s office.
It may seem crazy that the biggest weapon against state cyberattack is a lawyer going after cyber squatters. But, remember, even Al Capone went down for tax evasion.
