MICROSOFT FINDS, THWARTS HACKING BID BY RUSSIAN GROUP

WASHINGTON: The Russian hacking unit that tried to interfere in the US presidential election has been targeting conservative US think tanks, Microsoft has said, prompting a denial from Moscow and threat of punishment from American officials.

The company said on Monday it had seized control of six fake websites and a site that mimicked the US Senate. The hackers were linked to the Russian military unit formerly known as the GRU. One of the sites appeared to mimic the think tank International Republican Institute.

On Tuesday, Russian foreign ministry rejected Microsoft’s accusation. “It is regrettable that a large international company, which has been working in the Russian market for a long time, quite actively and successfully has to take part in a witch-hunt that has engulfed Washington.”

Trump administration officials said on Tuesday Washington is prepared to impose more economic pain on Russia if it does not change its behaviour.

Members of Congress, where both chambers are controlled by Republicans, have called for more action - including threatening sanctions “from hell” - to punish Russia for actions including its annexation of Crimea, involvement in Syria’s civil war and cyberattacks seeking to influence US elections.

Two US Senate committees held hearings on Russia on Tuesday, where some lawmakers chastised administration officials for failing to sufficiently answer their questions, and for sending conflicting messages and doing too little to change Russian behaviour.