Hackers started diverting attention from the real targets of cyberattacks with a cryptocurrency miner. This conclusion was made by Microsoft researchers.
The report describes the Vietnamese group Bismuth. It has been active since 2012 and specialises in attacks on corporations, governments, educational institutions, as well as human rights and civil society organisations domestically and abroad.
The analysis of the attackers’ activity in July–August 2020 showed that they used Monero miners when attacking companies in Vietnam and France. Using a Trojan horse, the hackers diverted attention from data theft, Microsoft said.
“Mining allows cybercriminals to mask their true intentions, since such threats attract less attention,” the report says.
Researchers do not rule out that such tactics may allow hackers to earn additional profits. Microsoft urged users to remain vigilant in detecting hidden miners.
In June, Microsoft reported a hacking attack on the cloud service Microsoft Azure aimed at mining Monero.
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