Spy group APT-C-60 keeps hitting Japanese organizations
A hacking group tracked as APT-C-60 is running an ongoing spying campaign against organizations in Japan. Japan's national CERT says the group now sends phishing emails with Proton Drive links that lead to a booby trapped shortcut file, which quietly installs spyware called SpyGlace. The group has used this kind of attack since at least late 2024 and updated its tools again in 2026.
- Started
- Jul 13, 2026
- Latest activity
- Jul 13, 2026
- Attributed to
- APT-C-60Suspected
- Where
- Japan
- Sectors
- Multiple sectors
- Scale
- multiple organizations in Japan, exact number not disclosed
Current status
Japan's JPCERT/CC said on July 13, 2026 that it is still seeing this group's phishing and malware activity, with new delivery tricks added this year; no newer confirmed activity has been reported since.
Dormant: No new confirmed activity for a while, and nobody has called an official all clear.
Who is behind it
Security researchers have named the group APT-C-60 and some link it to South Korea, but no government has confirmed this publicly.
Impact
Victims who open the malicious files get infected with spyware that can let the attacker access and control their computer. No specific stolen data or business disruption has been made public.
What to do
Be wary of unexpected emails with cloud storage links or file attachments, especially shortcut (.lnk) files inside zip or rar archives, and verify with the sender before opening them.
Timeline
-
Aug 8, 2026
No new confirmed activity reported, so this incident moved to dormant while it stays open.
Dormant -
Jul 13, 2026
JPCERT/CC published details of new 2026 attacks by APT-C-60 using Proton Drive links and abusing GitHub, GitLab, jsDelivr and Codeberg to deliver SpyGlace malware.
Activeblogs.jpcert.or.jp
Sources
- Update on Attacks by Threat Group APT-C-60 in 2026 JPCERT Blog Jun 30, 2026
- Proton Drive phishing links steal data from Japanese firms GBHackers Jul 13, 2026
Related reports
- Proton Drive phishing links steal data from Japanese firms Jul 13, 2026
- Update on Attacks by Threat Group APT-C-60 in 2026 Jun 30, 2026