<p>Hackers suspected of working for Russia's foreign intelligence agency targeted dozens of diplomats at embassies in Ukraine with a fake used car advert in a bid to break into their computers, according to a cybersecurity firm report published on Wednesday.</p>

<p>The wide-reaching espionage activity targeted diplomats working in at least 22 of the roughly 80 foreign missions in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, analysts at Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 research division said in the report.</p>

<p>"The campaign began with an innocuous and legitimate event," said the report, which was first reported by Reuters.</p>

<p>"In mid-April 2023, a diplomat within the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs emailed a legitimate flyer to various embassies advertising the sale of a used BMW 5-series sedan located in Kyiv".</p>

<p>The Polish diplomat, who declined to be identified citing security concerns, confirmed the role of his advertisement in the digital intrusion.</p>

<p>The hackers, known as APT29 or "Cozy Bear", intercepted and copied that flyer, embedded it with malicious software, then sent it to dozens of other foreign diplomats working in Kyiv, Unit 42 said.</p>

<p>"This is staggering in scope for what generally are narrowly scoped and clandestine advanced persistent threat (APT) operations," said the report, using an acronym often used to describe state-backed cyberespionage groups.</p>

<p>In 2021, U.S. and British intelligence agencies identified APT29 as an arm of Russia's foreign Intelligence Service, the SVR. The SVR did not respond to a request from Reuters for comment about the hacking campaign.</p>

<p>In April, Polish counterintelligence and cybersecurity authorities warned that the same group had conducted a "widespread intelligence campaign" against NATO member states, the European Union, and Africa.</p>

<p>Researchers at Unit 42 were able to tie the fake car advert back to the SVR because the hackers re-used certain tools and techniques which have previously been connected to the spy agency.</p>

<p>"Diplomatic missions will always be a high-value espionage target," the Unit 42 report said. "Sixteen months into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, intelligence surrounding Ukraine and allied diplomatic efforts are almost certainly a high priority for the Russian government".</p>

<p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-blocks-delivery-of-aids-to-rebel-held-regions-of-syria-after-vetoing-un-vote-614559">Russia blocks delivery of aid to rebel-held regions of Syria after vetoing UN vote</a></p>

<h2><strong>Advertisement for used BMW&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The Polish diplomat said he had sent the original advert to various embassies in Kyiv, and that someone had called him back because the price looked "attractive".</p>

<p>"When I checked, I realised they were talking about a slightly lower price," the diplomat told Reuters.</p>

<p>SVR hackers, it turns out, had listed the diplomat's BMW for a lower price - 7,500 euros - in their fake version of the advert, in an attempt to encourage more people to download malicious software that would give them remote access to their devices, Reuters found.</p>

<p>That software, Unit 42 said, was disguised as an album of photographs of the used BMW. Attempts to open those photographs would have infected the target's machine, the report said.</p>

<p>Twenty-one of the 22 embassies targeted by the hackers and subsequently contacted by Reuters did not provide comment. It was not clear which embassies, if any, had been compromised.</p>

<p>A U.S. State Department spokesperson said they were "aware of the activity and based on the Directorate of Cyber and Technology Security's analysis found it did not affect Department systems or accounts."</p>

<p>As for the car, it was still available, the Polish diplomat told Reuters:</p>

<p>"I'll try to sell it in Poland, probably," he said. "After this situation, I don't want to have any more problems".</p>

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Hackers suspected of working for Russia's foreign intelligence agency targeted dozens of diplomats at embassies in Ukraine with a fake used car advert in a bid to break into their computers, according to a cybersecurity firm report published on Wednesday.

Hackers suspected of working for Russia's foreign intelligence agency targeted dozens of diplomats at embassies in Ukraine with a fake used car advert in a bid to break into their computers, according to a cybersecurity firm report published on Wednesday. The wide-reaching espionage activity targeted diplomats working in at least 22 of the roughly 80 foreign missions in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, analysts at Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 research division said in the report. "The campaign began with an innocuous and legitimate event," said the report, which was first reported by Reuters. "In mid-April 2023, a diplomat within the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs emailed a legitimate flyer to various embassies advertising the sale of a used BMW 5-series sedan located in Kyiv". The Polish diplomat, who declined to be identified citing security concerns, confirmed the role of his advertisement in the digital intrusion. The hackers, known as APT29 or "Cozy Bear", intercepted and copied that flyer, embedded it with malicious software, then sent it to dozens of other foreign diplomats working in Kyiv, Unit 42 said. "This is staggering in scope for what generally are narrowly scoped and clandestine advanced persistent threat (APT) operations," said the report, using an acronym often used to describe state-backed cyberespionage groups. In 2021, U.S. and British intelligence agencies identified APT29 as an arm of Russia's foreign Intelligence Service, the SVR. The SVR did not respond to a request from Reuters for comment about the hacking campaign. In April, Polish counterintelligence and cybersecurity authorities warned that the same group had conducted a "widespread intelligence campaign" against NATO member states, the European Union, and Africa. Researchers at Unit 42 were able to tie the fake car advert back to the SVR because the hackers re-used certain tools and techniques which have previously been connected to the spy agency. "Diplomatic missions will always be a high-value espionage target," the Unit 42 report said. "Sixteen months into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, intelligence surrounding Ukraine and allied diplomatic efforts are almost certainly a high priority for the Russian government". Also read: Russia blocks delivery of aid to rebel-held regions of Syria after vetoing UN vote Advertisement for used BMW The Polish diplomat said he had sent the original advert to various embassies in Kyiv, and that someone had called him back because the price looked "attractive". "When I checked, I realised they were talking about a slightly lower price," the diplomat told Reuters. SVR hackers, it turns out, had listed the diplomat's BMW for a lower price - 7,500 euros - in their fake version of the advert, in an attempt to encourage more people to download malicious software that would give them remote access to their devices, Reuters found. That software, Unit 42 said, was disguised as an album of photographs of the used BMW. Attempts to open those photographs would have infected the target's machine, the report said. Twenty-one of the 22 embassies targeted by the hackers and subsequently contacted by Reuters did not provide comment. It was not clear which embassies, if any, had been compromised. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said they were "aware of the activity and based on the Directorate of Cyber and Technology Security's analysis found it did not affect Department systems or accounts." As for the car, it was still available, the Polish diplomat told Reuters: "I'll try to sell it in Poland, probably," he said. "After this situation, I don't want to have any more problems". WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russian hackers lured embassy workers in Ukraine with ad for cheap BMW

<p>A picturesque view for any car lover or a Beemer fan for that matter. The National Sports Club in Mumbai was all prepped up for the launch of the all-new BMW 5 series. Living up to its name of doing everything grand, the launch was not a standard one with monotonous presentations to begin with and finally an official unveiling the car. The 5 series launch was rather an interesting one, with a remarkable dance performance by a famous dance troupe&nbsp;from Mumbai and of course audience had their eyes fixed on the most awaited guest, the legend himself, Mr&nbsp;Sachin Tendulkar.</p>

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<p>Dance performance at the all-new BMW 5 series launch in Mumbai (WION)</p>
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<h5>I&#39;ve come across many drivers, who consider themselves as good drivers but when it comes to parking, they find some challenges there. So for them, this car does a good job. You can just come out of the car and park it with the help of a remote control.- <strong>Sachin Tendulkar</strong></h5>
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<p>After a brief introduction to the car by the President of BMW Group India, Mr&nbsp;Vikram Pahwa, the much-loved cricketing legend and self claimed car lover Mr. Sachin Tendulkar launched the car with his simple yet mesmerising entry by driving the car through the stadium.</p>

<p>As the new 5 series is called the Business Athlete, being an athlete himself, Tendulkar, seemed pretty impressed with the car and explained the one feature which won his heart. &quot;I&#39;ve come across many drivers, who consider themselves as good drivers but when it comes to parking, they find some challenges there. So for them, this car does a good job. You can just come out of the car and park it with the help of a remote control,&quot; said the cricketer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The all-new 5 series looked as luxurious and grand as expected. The new sedan takes design cue from its elder sibling, the 7-series, and is larger in dimensions as well. Available in three levels--Sports line, Luxury and M-sport--the new 5-series is being offered with a choice of three engines-one Petrol and two diesels with the former belting around 254 BHP and the diesel one churning 186 BHP. All the engines come mated with an 8 speed automatic transmission.</p>

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<p>BMW 520d Sport Line Specifications (WION)</p>
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<p>When it comes to technology the new 5 series definitely doesn&#39;t disappoint as it&#39;s more technologically advanced than its predecessor. Adaptive LED headlamps, four-zone climate control, iDrive system with 10.25 inch display are a few of the various equipment&nbsp;on offer.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The all-new BMW 5 Series (WION)</p>
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<p>The all-new 5 series will compete with the likes of Volvo S90, jaguar XF and Audi A6 to name a few. When asked about the competition Mr&nbsp;Vikram Pahwa, President BMW &nbsp;group India, sounded quite confident. &quot;We always welcome competition and the game here is to grow the market and and we strongly believe that the new 5-series is actually going to grow the market.&quot;</p>

<p>After a much-awaited launch and with a price tag of Rs 49.90 lakh, Rs 53.60 lakh and Rs 61.30 lakh for Sport line, Luxury line and M sport respectively, the &quot;Business Athlete&quot;&nbsp;is ready to take on its rivals and is all set to hit the Indian soil.<br />
<br />
Check out the all-new BMW 5 Series in the video below</p>

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7th Gen of BMW?s executive premium sedan crosses swords with the likes of Volvo S90, Mercedes E Class, Jaguar XF and Audi A6

A picturesque view for any car lover or a Beemer fan for that matter. The National Sports Club in Mumbai was all prepped up for the launch of the all-new BMW 5 series. Living up to its name of doing everything grand, the launch was not a standard one with monotonous presentations to begin with and finally an official unveiling the car. The 5 series launch was rather an interesting one, with a remarkable dance performance by a famous dance troupe from Mumbai and of course audience had their eyes fixed on the most awaited guest, the legend himself, Mr Sachin Tendulkar. Dance performance at the all-new BMW 5 series launch in Mumbai (WION) × I've come across many drivers, who consider themselves as good drivers but when it comes to parking, they find some challenges there. So for them, this car does a good job. You can just come out of the car and park it with the help of a remote control.- Sachin Tendulkar × After a brief introduction to the car by the President of BMW Group India, Mr Vikram Pahwa, the much-loved cricketing legend and self claimed car lover Mr. Sachin Tendulkar launched the car with his simple yet mesmerising entry by driving the car through the stadium. As the new 5 series is called the Business Athlete, being an athlete himself, Tendulkar, seemed pretty impressed with the car and explained the one feature which won his heart. "I've come across many drivers, who consider themselves as good drivers but when it comes to parking, they find some challenges there. So for them, this car does a good job. You can just come out of the car and park it with the help of a remote control," said the cricketer. The all-new 5 series looked as luxurious and grand as expected. The new sedan takes design cue from its elder sibling, the 7-series, and is larger in dimensions as well. Available in three levels--Sports line, Luxury and M-sport--the new 5-series is being offered with a choice of three engines-one Petrol and two diesels with the former belting around 254 BHP and the diesel one churning 186 BHP. All the engines come mated with an 8 speed automatic transmission. BMW 520d Sport Line Specifications (WION) × When it comes to technology the new 5 series definitely doesn't disappoint as it's more technologically advanced than its predecessor. Adaptive LED headlamps, four-zone climate control, iDrive system with 10.25 inch display are a few of the various equipment on offer. The all-new BMW 5 Series (WION) × The all-new 5 series will compete with the likes of Volvo S90, jaguar XF and Audi A6 to name a few. When asked about the competition Mr Vikram Pahwa, President BMW group India, sounded quite confident. "We always welcome competition and the game here is to grow the market and and we strongly believe that the new 5-series is actually going to grow the market." After a much-awaited launch and with a price tag of Rs 49.90 lakh, Rs 53.60 lakh and Rs 61.30 lakh for Sport line, Luxury line and M sport respectively, the "Business Athlete" is ready to take on its rivals and is all set to hit the Indian soil. Check out the all-new BMW 5 Series in the video below

BMW 5 Series launched in India

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Russian hackers lured embassy workers in Ukraine with ad for cheap BMW

BMW 5 Series launched in India