Russia dismisses Microsoft hacking accusation

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The Kremlin said on Tuesday that it did not understand allegations from Microsoft that hackers linked to Russia's government had tried to target websites of two right-wing US think-tanks.

"... Who exactly are they talking about? We don't understand what the proof and the basis is for them drawing these kinds of conclusions," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters during a conference call.

The software giant said it thwarted the Russia-linked attempts last week, which it suggested showed Moscow was broadening its attacks in the build-up to the US mid-term elections in November.

The "hackers" had mimicked the pages of two American conservative organizations: The International Republican Institute and the Hudson Institute, according to the company, who added that three other fake domains were designed to look as if they belonged to the US Senate.

Microsoft didn't offer any further description of the fake sites.

According to Brad Smith, Microsoft's president and chief legal officer, there is no sign the hackers were successful in persuading anyone to click on the fake websites, which he said could have exposed a target victim to computer infiltration, hidden surveillance and data theft.

Since suing an alleged hacking group – which they call Strontium – in a Virginia federal court in summer 2016, Microsoft has waged a legal battle with it.

So far, the company has used the courts to shut down 84 "fake websites" created by Strontium, including this latest six announced Tuesday.

Source(s): AP ,Reuters