# APT42: threat group profile

> APT42 is an espionage group thought to operate from Iran, with suspected state backing. Public reporting about it is still limited. This free profile brings together what is known about it, so you can judge the risk to you. It lists the other names the group goes by and links to every public report behind it.

Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/threat-actors/apt42
Breadcrumb: [Home](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/) > [Threat groups](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/threat-actors) > APT42

## At a glance

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Attack techniques | 0 |
| Countries and victims named | 5 |
| Thought to operate from | Iran |
| Suspected backing | Iran |
| Motive | Espionage |
| Other names | 2 |
| Public reports | 2 |

## Who is APT42?

APT42 is an espionage group thought to operate from Iran, with suspected state backing. Public reporting about it is still limited.

### Also known as

UNC788, CALANQUE

Security companies each give the same group their own name, so one group can have many.

### What public reporting says

> Iranian state-sponsored cyber espionage group tasked with conducting information collection and surveillance operations against individuals and organizations of strategic interest to the Iranian government.

## Who does APT42 go after?

**Sectors:** Education, Government, Military, Defense, Energy, Finance, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Civil Society, Legal, Manufacturing, Media, NGOs

**Countries and victims named:** Australia, Europe, Israel, Middle East, US

See threats by industry: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/industries

## Public reports about APT42

- https://www.mandiant.com/resources/blog/apt42-charms-cons-compromises
- https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/tool-of-first-resort-israel-hamas-war-cyber.pdf

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is APT42?

APT42 is an espionage group thought to operate from Iran, with suspected state backing. Public reporting about it is still limited.

### Where is APT42 thought to be based?

Public reporting places APT42 as operating from Iran, with suspected state backing. Attribution is never certain: it rests on the tools, infrastructure and targets researchers have seen.

### Who does APT42 target?

In public reporting, sectors named include education, government, military, defense and energy, and 5 countries and victims are named, including Australia, Europe, Israel and Middle East.

### How do I know if APT42 is a risk to my business?

Create an account and tell us the software you run. We match it against known flaws, including those linked to threat groups, rank each one from 0 to 100 and tell you as soon as we spot something that affects you.

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