The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) revealed that the Russian Advanced Persistent Threat group APT 28 deployed previously unknown malware called AUTHENTIC ANTICS to steal login credentials and maintain persistent access to victim email accounts. Paul Chichester, NCSC Director of Operations, noted that “the use of AUTHENTIC ANTICS malware demonstrates the persistence and sophistication of the cyber threat posed by Russia’s GRU”. The UK’s technical attribution has been coordinated with international partners, reinforcing collective defense against Russian cyber operations targeting critical infrastructure and democratic institutions across Europe and beyond. Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized that these measures demonstrate the UK’s commitment to countering Russian hybrid threats, stating that “GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilise Europe, undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens”. The government has announced the largest sustained boost in defence spending since the Cold War, increasing to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 as part of efforts to counter cyber and hybrid threats.
This Cyber News was published on cybersecuritynews.com. Publication date: Tue, 22 Jul 2025 11:10:12 +0000