--- title: "State-Backed Russian Hackers Are Targeting Coronavirus Vaccine Research" description: "UK authorities issued a warning on Thursday, claiming that Russian hackers with ties to the Kremlin have been targeting coronavirus vaccine research." date: "2020-07-17" modified: "2020-07-17" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/state-backed-russian-hackers-are-targeting-coronavirus-vaccine-research" categories: - "Cybersecurity" - "Future Society" - "Hacking" - "Health & Medicine" - "Medical" - "Pathogens" - "Viruses" tags: - "coronavirus" - "covid19" - "hacker" - "hackers" - "Russia" - "vaccine" --- # State-Backed Russian Hackers Are Targeting Coronavirus Vaccine Research ![UK authorities issued a warning on Thursday, claiming that Russian hackers with ties to the Kremlin have been targeting coronavirus vaccine research.]() *\Image: Victor Tangermann\* The UK National Cyber Security Centre, (NCSC) in conjunction with their US and Canadian intelligence counterparts, warned on Thursday that Russian hackers with ties to the Kremlin have been targeting coronavirus vaccine development since the early days of the pandemic. The warnings were accompanied by a [detailed 16-page document](), outlining how Russian hackers might be attempting to steal information from researchers through custom malware and other exploits. "We would urge organizations to familiarize themselves with the advice we have published to help defend their networks," NCSC Director of Operations Paul Chichester said in [a statement](). "It is completely unacceptable that the Russian Intelligence Services are targeting those working to combat the coronavirus pandemic," Dominic Raab, the UK's foreign secretary, added in [a separate statement]() to the press. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany took a far more nuanced approach. "We worked very closely with our allies to ensure that we would take measures to keep that information safe and we continue do so so," she said, as [quoted by *AP*](). Russia shot back, saying it had no idea what they were talking about. "We don’t know who tried to carry out the hacking attacks in the United Kingdom, but Russia certainly has nothing to do with it," Dmitry Peskov, president Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, told reporters today, [as reported]() by state-run Russian news network *Tass*. "We continuously confront attempted cyber attacks against our computer databases, and those of our departments," Peskov added. "Our agencies regularly repel such attacks, since it is a common problem. We strongly reject these groundless accusations against us." Western intelligence claims the group behind the hacks is APT29, also known as Cozy Bear, the same group that was found to be involved in [hacking Democratic email accounts]() during the 2016 US presidential election. Peskov claimed that "we know absolutely nothing about the group and who it is affiliated with," when asked about Cozy Bear's affiliations with the Kremlin, *Tass* reports. The news comes after a [*Wall Street Journal* report]() published in May claimed that Chinese and Iranian hackers were [targeting US efforts to develop a coronavirus vaccine](). At the time, no specific hacking groups were named. **READ MORE:** [Russia is hacking virus vaccine trials, US, UK, Canada say]() \[*Associated Press*\] **More on hacks:** *[US Officials: Chinese Hackers Are Targeting Vaccine Research]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()