--- title: US-CERT Releases Alert on Russian Activity description: A DHS and FBI joint technical alert describes cyber-enabled actions related to the Russian Government compromising US-based networks and endpoints. image: https://reflare.com/hubfs/Blog%20image%20in%20post/US-CERT%20Releases%20Alert%20on%20Russian%20Activity.png --- [![Reflare home](https://reflare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Reflare%20website%20images/Reflare%20Logos/reflare%20logo.png?width=421&height=150&name=reflare%20logo.png "Reflare home")](https://reflare.com) [![logo](https://reflare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Reflare%20website%20images/Reflare%20Logos/logo.png?width=262&height=82&name=logo.png "logo")](https://reflare.com/act3) [![reflare logo](https://reflare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Reflare%20website%20images/Reflare%20Logos/reflare%20logo.png?width=168&height=60&name=reflare%20logo.png "reflare logo")](https://reflare.com/act3) - [Galena](https://reflare.com/galena) - [Galena Overview](https://reflare.com/galena) - [Galena for Tech Teams](https://reflare.com/technical-teams) - [Galena for L&D Teams](https://reflare.com/learning-development) - [Galena Security and Deployment](https://reflare.com/security-deployment) - Training - [Capture the Flag](https://reflare.com/rctf-reflare-capture-the-flag) - [Developers](https://reflare.com/rcsd) - [Administrators](https://reflare.com/rcsa) - [PCI DSS](https://reflare.com/rcsd) - Audit - [PCI DSS](https://reflare.com/pcidss) - [PCI 3DS](https://reflare.com/pci3ds) - [PCI PIN](https://reflare.com/pcipin) - [PCI DSS ASV](https://reflare.com/pcidssasv) - [Penetration Testing](https://reflare.com/penetration) - [Vulnerability Scanning](https://reflare.com/vulnerability) - [Advisory and Management](https://reflare.com/advisory) - [Research](https://reflare.com/research) - [Anatomy of a Breach](https://reflare.com/research/tag/anatomy-of-a-breach) - [High Tech](https://reflare.com/research/tag/high-tech) - [Infosec Culture](https://reflare.com/research/tag/infosec-culture) - [Infrastructure](https://reflare.com/research/tag/infrastructure) - [Normal People and Infosec](https://reflare.com/research/tag/normal-people-and-infosec) - [WTFWIB](https://whythefuckwasibreached.com/) - [About](https://reflare.com/about) - [Contact](https://reflare.com/contact) - [Company](https://reflare.com/about) - [Careers](https://reflare.com/careers) - [Service Status](https://statuspage.reflare.com/) - [日本語](https://jp.reflare.com/) [Login](https://reflare.com/login) [Buy Now](https://www.hubspot.com/) [Login](https://www.hubspot.com/)Login to your Reflare account - [Galena](https://reflare.com/galena) - [Galena Overview](https://reflare.com/galena) - [Galena for Tech Teams](https://reflare.com/technical-teams) - [Galena for L&D Teams](https://reflare.com/learning-development) - [Galena Security and Deployment](https://reflare.com/security-deployment) - Training - [Capture the Flag](https://reflare.com/rctf-reflare-capture-the-flag) - [Developers](https://reflare.com/rcsd) - [Administrators](https://reflare.com/rcsa) - [PCI DSS](https://reflare.com/rcsd) - Audit - [PCI DSS](https://reflare.com/pcidss) - [PCI 3DS](https://reflare.com/pci3ds) - [PCI PIN](https://reflare.com/pcipin) - [PCI DSS ASV](https://reflare.com/pcidssasv) - [Penetration Testing](https://reflare.com/penetration) - [Vulnerability Scanning](https://reflare.com/vulnerability) - [Advisory and Management](https://reflare.com/advisory) - [Research](https://reflare.com/research) - [Anatomy of a Breach](https://reflare.com/research/tag/anatomy-of-a-breach) - [High Tech](https://reflare.com/research/tag/high-tech) - [Infosec Culture](https://reflare.com/research/tag/infosec-culture) - [Infrastructure](https://reflare.com/research/tag/infrastructure) - [Normal People and Infosec](https://reflare.com/research/tag/normal-people-and-infosec) - [WTFWIB](https://whythefuckwasibreached.com/) - [About](https://reflare.com/about) - [Contact](https://reflare.com/contact) - [Company](https://reflare.com/about) - [Careers](https://reflare.com/careers) - [Service Status](https://statuspage.reflare.com/) - [日本語](https://jp.reflare.com/) [Buy Now](https://www.hubspot.com/) Research #### Share this [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://reflare.com/research/us-cert-releases-alert-on-russian-activity&text=US-CERT%20Releases%20Alert%20on%20Russian%20Activity) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://reflare.com/research/us-cert-releases-alert-on-russian-activity&t=US-CERT%20Releases%20Alert%20on%20Russian%20Activity) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://reflare.com/research/us-cert-releases-alert-on-russian-activity&t=US-CERT%20Releases%20Alert%20on%20Russian%20Activity) # US-CERT Releases Alert on Russian Activity by [**Reflare Research Team**](https://reflare.com/research/author/reflare-research-team) on Mar 16, 2018 2:01:00 PM A DHS and FBI joint technical alert describes cyber-enabled capabilities and actions related to the Russian Government compromising US-based networks and endpoints, as well as distributing malware, conducting spear phishing operations, and deploying network reconnaissance tools. First Published 16th March 2018  ![US-CERT Releases Alert on Russian Activity](https://reflare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20image%20in%20post/US-CERT%20Releases%20Alert%20on%20Russian%20Activity.png?width=672&height=448&name=US-CERT%20Releases%20Alert%20on%20Russian%20Activity.png) *Critical infrastructure - an attractive target for mass disruption.* 4 min read  |  Reflare Research Team The alert carries the title “Russian Government Cyber Activity Targeting Energy and Other Critical Infrastructure Sectors” and code TA18-074A. Drawing on intelligence gathered by the FBI and DHS it alleges that Russian actors have been targeting US government networks as well as infrastructure in the energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation, and critical manufacturing sectors since early 2016. It further alleges that the Russian government is the principal actor ordering these attacks. The attacks described fall mostly into the category of social engineering with [Spear Phishing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing#Spear_phishing) and [Watering Hole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watering_hole_attack) attacks providing access to critical infrastructure which is then exploited and extended using more technical attack strategies including custom malware installation. The attack description is detailed and includes both timelines and signatures of used tools. ## What is new? This briefing is novel in two regards: It provides unusually detailed information and it openly alleges Russian governmental involvement. Previous reports by US agencies on cyber attacks have tended to be [relatively vague](https://reflare.com/research/a-post-hack-crisis-escalation-of-rhetoric-and-where-to-place-blame), outlining only general attack patterns and tools without delving into too much detail on timeframes, targets and tool specifics. The high level of detail in this alert is likely due to a combination of the department releasing it being highly technical and an attempt to counteract the weary responses that previous reports have generated. While we do not have the information required to objectively judge the veracity of the claims included in the alert, it does convey a more detailed picture of the alleged cyber attacks which will make its claims easier to verify or debunk in the future. This move toward transparency in turn implies that the US government feels confident that its allegations will stand up to scrutiny. The direct accusations made against the Russian government in turn may signal a shift in the US government's stance regarding Russia in general. While previous reports identified specific threat actors (such as the infamous APT-28, aka “[Fancybear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fancy_Bear)”) and indirectly linked these actors to Russian government interests, the level of direct accusation against the Russian government is unusual for an official report. While individual US legislators have made similar accusations over the past two years, this additional layer of officiality indicates that the overall US government posture on the matter of foreign cyber security threats may begin to shift towards a more aggressive stance. ## Summary The alert released by US-CERT is unusual in both its level of detail and its directness. We interpret this as a sign that US government policy towards foreign cyber-threat actors may be shifting towards more offensiveness. This change would be consistent with the stance of other major governments over the past years, leading to a heightened risk environment overall. While we recommend everyone to follow good security practices, the current tensions make it especially important for individuals connected to governmental, military and core-industrial organizations to remain proactive and prepare their staff to identify and correctly act upon cyber attacks. Topics: [Infosec Culture](https://reflare.com/research/tag/infosec-culture) #### Share this [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://reflare.com/research/us-cert-releases-alert-on-russian-activity&text=US-CERT%20Releases%20Alert%20on%20Russian%20Activity) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://reflare.com/research/us-cert-releases-alert-on-russian-activity&t=US-CERT%20Releases%20Alert%20on%20Russian%20Activity) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://reflare.com/research/us-cert-releases-alert-on-russian-activity&t=US-CERT%20Releases%20Alert%20on%20Russian%20Activity) - Recent - Topics - Archive Recent Topics - [Infosec Culture (113)](https://reflare.com/research/tag/infosec-culture) - [Anatomy of a Breach (60)](https://reflare.com/research/tag/anatomy-of-a-breach) - [Normal People and Infosec (42)](https://reflare.com/research/tag/normal-people-and-infosec) - [High Tech (31)](https://reflare.com/research/tag/high-tech) - [Infrastructure (21)](https://reflare.com/research/tag/infrastructure) - [Capture the Flag (8)](https://reflare.com/research/tag/capture-the-flag) See all Archive - [June 2026 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2026/06) - [May 2026 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2026/05) - [April 2026 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2026/04) - [March 2026 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2026/03) - [February 2026 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2026/02) - [January 2026 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2026/01) - [December 2025 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2025/12) - [November 2025 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2025/11) - [October 2025 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2025/10) - [September 2025 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2025/09) - [August 2025 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2025/08) - [July 2025 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2025/07) - [June 2025 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2025/06) - [May 2025 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2025/05) - [April 2025 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2025/04) - [March 2025 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2025/03) - [February 2025 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2025/02) - [January 2025 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2025/01) - [December 2024 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2024/12) - [November 2024 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2024/11) - [October 2024 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2024/10) - [September 2024 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2024/09) - [August 2024 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2024/08) - [July 2024 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2024/07) - [June 2024 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2024/06) - [April 2024 (2)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2024/04) - [February 2024 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2024/02) - [January 2024 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2024/01) - [December 2023 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2023/12) - [November 2023 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2023/11) - [October 2023 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2023/10) - [September 2023 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2023/09) - [August 2023 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2023/08) - [July 2023 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2023/07) - [June 2023 (2)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2023/06) - [May 2023 (2)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2023/05) - [April 2023 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2023/04) - [March 2023 (4)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2023/03) - [February 2023 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2023/02) - [January 2023 (5)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2023/01) - [December 2022 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2022/12) - [November 2022 (2)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2022/11) - [October 2022 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2022/10) - [September 2022 (11)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2022/09) - [August 2022 (5)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2022/08) - [July 2022 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2022/07) - [May 2022 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2022/05) - [April 2022 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2022/04) - [February 2022 (4)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2022/02) - [January 2022 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2022/01) - [December 2021 (2)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2021/12) - [November 2021 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2021/11) - [October 2021 (2)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2021/10) - [September 2021 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2021/09) - [August 2021 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2021/08) - [June 2021 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2021/06) - [May 2021 (14)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2021/05) - [February 2021 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2021/02) - [October 2020 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2020/10) - [September 2020 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2020/09) - [July 2020 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2020/07) - [June 2020 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2020/06) - [May 2020 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2020/05) - [April 2020 (2)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2020/04) - [March 2020 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2020/03) - [February 2020 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2020/02) - [January 2020 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2020/01) - [December 2019 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2019/12) - [November 2019 (2)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2019/11) - [October 2019 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2019/10) - [September 2019 (5)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2019/09) - [August 2019 (2)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2019/08) - [July 2019 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2019/07) - [June 2019 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2019/06) - [May 2019 (2)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2019/05) - [April 2019 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2019/04) - [March 2019 (2)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2019/03) - [February 2019 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2019/02) - [January 2019 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2019/01) - [December 2018 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2018/12) - [November 2018 (5)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2018/11) - [October 2018 (4)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2018/10) - [September 2018 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2018/09) - [August 2018 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2018/08) - [July 2018 (4)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2018/07) - [June 2018 (4)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2018/06) - [May 2018 (2)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2018/05) - [April 2018 (4)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2018/04) - [March 2018 (5)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2018/03) - [February 2018 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2018/02) - [January 2018 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2018/01) - [December 2017 (2)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2017/12) - [November 2017 (4)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2017/11) - [October 2017 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2017/10) - [September 2017 (5)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2017/09) - [August 2017 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2017/08) - [July 2017 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2017/07) - [June 2017 (4)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2017/06) - [May 2017 (4)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2017/05) - [April 2017 (2)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2017/04) - [March 2017 (4)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2017/03) - [February 2017 (2)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2017/02) - [January 2017 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2017/01) - [December 2016 (1)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2016/12) - [November 2016 (4)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2016/11) - [October 2016 (2)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2016/10) - [September 2016 (4)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2016/09) - [August 2016 (5)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2016/08) - [July 2016 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2016/07) - [June 2016 (5)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2016/06) - [May 2016 (3)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2016/05) - [April 2016 (4)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2016/04) - [March 2016 (5)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2016/03) - [February 2016 (4)](https://reflare.com/research/archive/2016/02) See all ### Subscribe by email #### About Reflare We help customers increase cyber resilience with the #1 hands-on IT security training platform. Our developer, administrator, and non-technical user training programs enhance user skills, fulfil your compliance needs, and contribute to developing more secure technologies. Legal - [Terms of Service](https://reflare.com/terms) - [Privacy Statement](https://reflare.com/privacy) - [Cookie Info](https://reflare.com/cookies) - [Copyright and Citation Enquiries](https://reflare.com/citation) - [Contact](https://reflare.com/contact) © 2026 Reflare Ltd, and/or its affiliates.   /   In business since 2009. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Reflare Research Team", "url" : "https://reflare.com/research/author/reflare-research-team" }, "dateModified" : "2023-11-21T13:44:51.421Z", "datePublished" : "2018-03-16T14:01:00.000Z", "headline" : "US-CERT Releases Alert on Russian Activity", "image" : [ "https://reflare.com/hubfs/Blog%20image%20in%20post/US-CERT%20Releases%20Alert%20on%20Russian%20Activity.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://reflare.com/research/us-cert-releases-alert-on-russian-activity", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://reflare.com/hubfs/Reflare%20website%20images/Reflare%20Logos/logo.png" }, "name" : "Reflare" } } ```