Russian-linked hackers tried to breach Hillary Clinton's email with phishing emails disguised as parking tickets. Cybersecurity expert Robert Siciliano explains how opening the attachments would give attackers remote control of her computer, and recommends antivirus software and firewalls to block such threats.
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Russia-linked hackers tried at least 5 times to pry into Hillary's private email account while she was Secretary of State. It is unclear if she clicked on any attachments or exposed her account. Intel security expert Robert Siciliano with me now on the type of scam these hackers were using. So Robert, it seems like it was a very basic phishing strategy. Is that what you understand?
Yeah, one that probably many of us have received. Essentially, they— she received emails that look like parking tickets, you know, from a local registry of motor vehicles. And the idea was for her to print them out, and by opening up that attachment, it would have launched an executable, a virus, onto her device, which essentially would have allowed criminals wherever to remotely control her computer.
Robert, what are the chances? We are saying Russian-based. Does this just mean, from what we understand, the language code lines up to imply that these Hackers are Russian speakers.
Yes. So when it was looked at in regards to the nature of the communication, the IP address where it came from, that it looks more that it came from somewhere in Asia, Russia. And, you know, who knows who's behind it, though?
Okay. Who knows who is behind it? Robert, for all of us at home, you said more than likely we have all been at least a targeted part of scams such as these. What's the best way for us to protect ourselves?
Well, first and foremost, awareness, of course, is the key. And then you have tools that are available to you: antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-phishing, and a firewall. This software is designed to make sure that you— if in fact you did open up these communications— that you won't be infected. And they alert you to the fact that that email might be a phishing email. So deploy security software to protect yourself and your business.
Robert, thank you very much. Robert Siciliano joining us there, security expert. Well, White House senior advisor
