Russian bank claims effort to frame it for connections to Trump Organization

Source: CNN | March 17, 2017 | Jose Pagliery

(CNN) – The Russian bank that had an “odd” internet link to the Trump Organization during the presidential campaign is now claiming that U.S.-based hackers have recently launched cyberattacks to try to frame the bank.

Cybersecurity experts say this hack is a common type of prank. And it’s not directly related to activity discovered last year between the computer servers of Alfa Bank and the Trump Organization.

Alfa Bank believes the hack is meant to make it seem as if the Trump Organization is currently communicating with it.

In a statement, Alfa Bank said “the cyberattacks are an attempt by unknown parties to manufacture the illusion of contact” between Alfa Bank and the Trump Organization.

Last week, CNN revealed that the FBI’s counterintelligence team is still investigating whether there was a computer server connection between the Trump Organization and Alfa Bank during the U.S. election, according to sources close to the investigation.

The CNN report showed that the corporations offered only possible explanations — but no proof — as to why Alfa Bank was repeatedly looking up the contact information for a computer server used by the Trump Organization.

But on Friday, Alfa Bank claimed hackers are now trying to perpetuate that suspicion by tricking the Trump Organization into sending communication toward the bank.

According to the bank: The idea here is that hackers recently knocked on the Trump server’s door, but posed as Alfa Bank — so the Trump server sent the bank real, unsolicited responses.

One attack happened on February 18, the bank said. (The bank did not mention that to CNN before its story published on March 10.)

After CNN published its story about the puzzling Trump-Alfa situation, hackers stepped up their attack on the Trump Organization with “spoofed” signals for five hours, which were then directed back towards the bank, Alfa Bank said.

Hackers continued this attack on March 13, the bank said.

The bank contacted the FBI and offered “complete co-operation in finding the people behind attempted cyberattacks.” A US law enforcement official confirmed that the FBI was contacted.

Alfa Bank has hired investigators at Stroz Friedberg, a New York cybersecurity firm started by an ex-FBI agent and former federal prosecutor.

The Trump Organization did not respond to CNN’s questions.

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