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Mysterious hacking group Careto was run by the Spanish government, sources say
TechCrunch reports that the Spanish hacking group Careto, active over a decade ago, was likely backed by the Spanish government, primarily targeting the Cuban government. Kaspersky's research linked Careto to advanced malware capable of extensive espionage. Despite being active globally and affecting multiple countries, Kaspersky refrained from publicly attributing Careto to Spain until now.
Key points
- Careto identified by Kaspersky in 2014 as a sophisticated hacking group.
- Originally linked to targeting Cuban government, leading Kaspersky's investigation.
- Malware was capable of stealing sensitive data, comparable to advanced government spyware.
- Former Kaspersky employees believe Careto was supported by the Spanish government.
- Targets included government agencies and private entities across 31 countries.
- Research indicated high interest from Spain due to historical ties with Cuba and the Basque terrorist organization ETA.
- Careto's operations ceased after Kaspersky's 2014 report but re-emerged with similarities in recent 2022 activities.
Why it matters
- The discovery of Careto parallels a trend in increasing government-backed cybersecurity operations amidst global tensions.
- Careto joins a small list of publicly acknowledged Western government hacking groups, including US and French units.
- The use of sophisticated malware indicates growing sophistication in state-sponsored cyber espionage.
- Relates to broader concerns about cyber warfare and the implications for international relations as countries escalate digital spying efforts.
Careto's revelation highlights the complexities of state-sponsored hacking and underscores the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, reflecting increased integration of espionage tools in government strategies amid rising global cyber threats.