Voyage Technology Blog

Voyage Technology has been serving the Beaver Dam area since 1999, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Things Get Ugly When Hackers Turn on Each Other [VIDEO]

b2ap3_thumbnail_hacker_vs_hacker_400.jpgNormally in cybersecurity, we hear about hacking attacks and immediately sympathize with the victim. It’s usually an individual or a business that suffers the most; yet, a recent trend is showing that hackers are lashing out at one another in response to certain threats. In response to a hack from the cyberespionage group Naikon, another group, Hellsing, retaliated with their own attack.

It might seem like a classic case of good ol’ revenge, but the researchers at Kaspersky Labs seem to think it hints toward a new trend in the world of cybercrime. They are calling it the advanced persistent threat (APT) wars, in which two major threats duke it out for supremacy over their target.

The attack in question was initiated on April 15, 2015, when Naikon targeted the smaller threat, Hellsing, with a spear phishing attack. Hellsing, however, didn’t respond well to the attack, and instead turned their own malware against Naikon. Naikon responded by posing as a member of a foreign government. As you might imagine, this back-and-forth action continued with both parties, ultimately resulting in Hellsing sending a password-protected message containing a backdoor specially made to target Naikon.

Commenting on the behavior of these two entities, Costin Daiu, Director of the Global Research and Analyst Team of Kaspersky Labs, reports:

The targeting of the Naikon group by Hellsing, in some sort of a vengeful vampire-hunting -- "Empire Strikes Back" style, is fascinating. In the past, we've seen APT groups accidentally hitting each other while stealing address books from victims and then mass-mailing everyone on each of these lists. However, considering the targeting and origin of the attack, it seems more likely that this is an example of a deliberate APT-on-APT attack.

These two threats going after each other tooth and claw was likely in the interest of gathering information; something which advanced persistent threats are known for. It’s an interesting exchange of blows, almost like they’re trying to outsmart each other. It’s the classic example of who can gain advantage of vital information that can be leveraged for greater profits.

Will the future see a world in which cybercriminals scramble for power, only to fall from grace and be lost to the ages, like the remains of an empire spreading itself too thin? Only time can tell. In the meantime, not even other hackers are safe from advanced persistent threats that lurk on the Internet. As a business owner and end user, the last thing you want to do is get caught between two wild hacking animals vying for a scrap of meat. Be sure to keep your machines up to date with the latest patches and upgrades that will minimize the possibility of a hacking attack.

 

Comments

No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment
Already Registered? Login Here
Guest
Sunday, 16 March 2025

Captcha Image

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Mobile? Grab this Article!

Qr Code

Tag Cloud

Security Technology Tip of the Week Best Practices Business Computing Data Productivity Business Software Innovation Hackers Cloud Network Security User Tips Hardware Internet Efficiency IT Support Malware Privacy Email Phishing Google Workplace Tips Computer IT Services Users Collaboration Hosted Solutions Mobile Device Ransomware Quick Tips Small Business Microsoft Cybersecurity Workplace Strategy Data Backup Communication Passwords Smartphone Saving Money Business Management VoIP Smartphones Android Backup Mobile Devices communications Data Recovery Upgrade Managed Service Disaster Recovery Managed IT Services Social Media Browser Microsoft Office Windows Tech Term Network Internet of Things Remote Current Events Artificial Intelligence Automation Facebook Productivity Cloud Computing Covid-19 Miscellaneous Gadgets Server Managed Service Provider Remote Work Outsourced IT Information Holiday Encryption Spam AI Employee/Employer Relationship Windows 10 Compliance Office Government Training Data Management Business Continuity Virtualization Wi-Fi Blockchain Windows 10 Bandwidth Business Technology Apps Data Security Two-factor Authentication Mobile Office Apple Managed Services Voice over Internet Protocol App Employer-Employee Relationship Networking Vendor Mobile Device Management Chrome Gmail Budget Conferencing How To BDR Computing Hacker Information Technology Avoiding Downtime BYOD Marketing Office 365 Applications Access Control WiFi Tip of the week Big Data Retail Healthcare Managed IT Services Operating System Computers Risk Management Website HIPAA Router Analytics Office Tips Virtual Private Network IT Support Augmented Reality Health Storage Help Desk Password Bring Your Own Device Document Management Social Remote Workers Telephone Scam Going Green Data loss Customer Service Cooperation Free Resource Project Management Cybercrime Windows 7 Patch Management Save Money Microsoft 365 Remote Monitoring Vulnerability End of Support Vendor Management Solutions Display Firewall Printer Paperless Office Windows 11 Infrastructure 2FA Monitoring The Internet of Things Excel Saving Time Virtual Machines Professional Services Administration Managed IT Service Maintenance Downloads Antivirus iPhone Customer Relationship Management Licensing Settings Entertainment Wireless Vulnerabilities Printing Content Filtering Data Privacy Hacking YouTube Images 101 Presentation Multi-Factor Authentication Robot Mobility Cryptocurrency Telephone System Cost Management Wireless Technology Virtual Desktop Data storage LiFi IT Management VPN Employees Meetings Word Physical Security Integration Outlook User Tip Modem Money Processor Computer Repair Mobile Security Humor Holidays Safety Data Storage Sports Smart Technology Supply Chain Mouse Video Conferencing Machine Learning Managed Services Provider Lenovo Gig Economy Screen Reader Writing Distributed Denial of Service Workplace Mobile Computing Search Service Level Agreement Internet Service Provider Virtual Reality Computing Infrastructure Teamwork Hiring/Firing Private Cloud Identity Evernote Paperless Application Best Practice Server Management Regulations Compliance Buisness Superfish Bookmark Identity Theft Smart Tech Memes Co-managed IT IBM Legal IT solutions Download Net Neutrality Twitter Alerts SQL Server Technology Care Error History Business Communications Business Growth Financial Data Browsers Smartwatch Connectivity IT Social Engineering Break Fix Scams Cortana Upload Procurement Remote Computing Azure Hybrid Work Cyber security Multi-Factor Security Tech Human Resources Alt Codes Social Network Telework Downtime CES Tablet IoT Communitications Dark Web Cables Competition Hosted Solution Trends Supply Chain Management Alert File Sharing Regulations Dark Data Google Calendar Term Google Apps Typing Managed IT Customer Resource management FinTech Data Analysis Star Wars IT Assessment How To Microsoft Excel IT Maintenance Google Drive User Knowledge Gamification Flexibility Notifications Staff Value Business Intelligence Travel Social Networking Legislation Shortcuts Organization Techology Fileless Malware Digital Security Cameras 5G Google Maps Smart Devices Ransmoware IP Address Google Docs Unified Communications Experience Content Remote Working Wearable Technology Memory Vendors Health IT Unified Threat Management Motherboard Data Breach Comparison Google Play Be Proactive Bitcoin Running Cable Unified Threat Management Directions Videos Assessment Electronic Health Records Permissions Workforce Google Wallet Wasting Time Threats Recovery Trend Micro Network Congestion Specifications Security Cameras Workplace Strategies Hard Drives Windows 8 Laptop Drones User Error Microchip Internet Exlporer Software as a Service Fraud Meta Domains Managing Costs Amazon Username Halloween Point of Sale eCommerce Black Friday SSID Refrigeration Public Speaking Database Surveillance Virtual Assistant Outsource IT Tech Support IT Technicians Virtual Machine Environment Lithium-ion battery Media Network Management Entrepreneur Scary Stories Proxy Server Reviews Cookies Monitors Cyber Monday Medical IT Hacks Fun Tactics Development Hotspot Transportation Small Businesses Websites Mirgation Hypervisor Displays Deep Learning Shopping Nanotechnology Optimization PowerPoint Undo Education SharePoint Addiction Electronic Medical Records Language Employer/Employee Relationships Outsourcing Chatbots Navigation Management PCI DSS

Blog Archive