The Snake implant is considered the most sophisticated cyber espionage tool designed and
used by Center 16 of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) for long-term intelligence collection
on sensitive targets. Globally, the FSB has used Snake to collect sensitive intelligence from high-priority targets, such as government networks, research facilities, and journalists.
As one example, FSB actors used Snake to access and exfiltrate sensitive international relations
documents, as well as other diplomatic communications, from a victim in a NATO country. Within the United States, the FSB has victimized industries including education, small businesses,
and media organizations, as well as critical infrastructure sectors including government facilities, financial services, critical manufacturing, and communications