Russian hacking groups may be involved in sites revealing encrypted emails from Brexit supporters

Google's cybersecurity official and former head of the UK's foreign intelligence agency said, 'The new website, which has released leak emails from several leading figures promoting Brexit in the UK, has something to do with Russian hackers.' Reuters reports.

EXCLUSIVE Russian hackers are linked to new Brexit leak website, Google says | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/technology/exclusive-russian-hackers-are-linked-new-brexit-leak-website-google-says-2022-05-25/

On the site in question, Very English Coop d'Etat , Brexit includes former British Secret Intelligence (MI6) Secretary Sir Richard Dearlove, British General Timothy Cross, and historian Robert Toms. The names and photos of the promoters are summarized, and their private emails are published.

The site claims that 'the person listed is a tough, pro-Brexit sect with a strong influence in Britain.' Mr. Diarab and Mr. Toms posted on the site have accused them of being targeted by hackers backed by the Russian government.

'The leaked email should be treated with caution in the context of the recent crisis in relations with Russia,' he admitted, admitting that the email posted was from ProtonMail , an encrypted email service. Said.

Many of the emails related to other people are also believed to have leaked from ProtonMail. It's unclear how the encrypted email was obtained, and ProtonMail also declined to comment on Reuters.

In addition, Mr. Toms replied to Reuters that he was aware of Russian disinformation based on illegal hacking, but he said he avoided further comments.

'The site in question was associated with a Russian hacking group that Google calls the'Cold River',' said Shane Huntley, who heads Google's threat analysis group.

'In my view, this trick is similar to spreading leak emails from the Democratic camp for the 2016 US presidential election,' said Thomas Lid, a cybersecurity researcher at Johns Hopkins University. In a way, it's very familiar, including the sloppyness. '

'We shouldn't look away from investigating credible material exposed by the leak, but we should still act cautiously,' said Lid. If the leak contains detailed, pressworthy information. If so, it is also worth reporting to point out that the material came from a hostile intelligence agency, especially during the war. '