Darknet Diaries
Ep 38: Dark Caracal
May 14, 2019
In a gripping discussion, Cooper Quinton, a Senior Staff Technologist at EFF's Threat Lab, delves into the disturbing case of journalist Irina Petrushova, who faced cyber threats from the Kazakhstan government for her criticism. The conversation uncovers the chilling realities of state-sponsored espionage and the role of private hacking firms. They explore mobile malware connections and the EFF's mission to protect vulnerable populations from digital attacks, emphasizing the ongoing battle for civil liberties in an increasingly threatening cyber landscape.
54:44
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Quick takeaways
- The hacking campaign called Operation Manual targeted dissidents, activists, lawyers, and journalists in countries such as Lebanon and Kazakhstan, shedding light on the growing threat of state-sponsored hacking and the challenges of attribution in the cyber realm.
- The investigation by the EFF and Lookout revealed the existence of a cybersecurity mercenary group possibly collaborating with the Lebanese government, emphasizing the global reach of state-sponsored hacking campaigns and the need for improved cybersecurity measures.
Deep dives
Operation Manual: The Dark Side of Cyber Espionage
The podcast episode explores a hacking campaign called Operation Manual, which targeted dissidents, activists, lawyers, and journalists in countries such as Lebanon and Kazakhstan. The campaign utilized malware like Bandook and CrossRAT to infiltrate victims' devices and steal sensitive information. The evidence suggests the involvement of a cybersecurity mercenary group, possibly with connections to the Lebanese government. The investigation by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and Lookout, a mobile security company, revealed the extent of the campaign and its global reach. The report, titled "Dark Caracal," sheds light on the growing threat of state-sponsored hacking and the challenges of attribution in the cyber realm.
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