U.S. adversaries turn to cyber criminals

Foreign governments trying to get your data is nothing new, but their tactics have become increasingly nefarious. Microsoft is now pointing the finger at cyber crime syndicates supposedly being hired by the usual suspects of China, Iran and Russia. Not only are they working with criminal hacking groups, but they’re working together. It’s mutually beneficial.

Microsoft pointed out one example where “investigators identified a Russian criminal network that infiltrated more than 50 electronic devices used by the Ukrainian military in June, apparently seeking access and information that could aid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.” Why would this information interest a crime network, unless they were being paid by the Kremlin to do so?

Beyond military data, all three countries also have a vested interest in the American election process. Criminal networks have been connected with widespread bots used to spread misinformation during the 2024 election cycle.

While all parties have, of course, denied involvement with any of these criminal groups, the evidence is clear. These countries have deeply embedded themselves in our technology. The degree to which they have done so remains ominously unclear.