Microsoft says it took over servers being used by China-based hacking group Nickel

The Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) has seized 42 websites that the China-based hacking group Nickel used to attack organizations in the US, as well as around the world, according to a report on Microsoft’s blog (via Bleeping Computer). Microsoft says that the attacks were likely carried out to gather intelligence from government agencies, think tanks, and human rights groups.

A US District Court in Virginia gave Microsoft permission to take control of the comprised websites on December 2nd, as outlined in the court document (PDF), allowing Microsoft to redirect traffic from those sites to Microsoft’s servers. While this won’t stop Nickel’s attacks completely, Microsoft says it should help “protect existing and future victims while...

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