Stefan Mileschin

Security outfit FireEye has noticed an up-tick in attacks from an Iran-based hacking group.

The Ajax Security Team, which sounds like a group that would clean your bath rather than hackers, is better known for defacing websites.

But FireEye said the group has shown increased ambition over the past few months, targeting US defence contractors and Iranian dissidents.

FireEye said in its report, called "Operation Saffron Rose that a network of computers AST uses to steal data has shown continued activity distributing malware aimed at higher-value targets,

The security company recovered information on 77 people targeted by the group by analyzing a command-and-control server used to store stolen data. Most of the victims had their computers set to the Persian language and to Iran's time zone. FireEye said it also uncovered evidence the group targeted US defense contractors.

http://news.techeye.net/business/ira...fence-industry