More than a decade ago, what began as a routine investigation by researchers at the cybersecurity firm Kaspersky quickly escalated into the discovery of one of the most sophisticated cyber-espionage campaigns of the era. Initially, they observed strange network behavior that resembled activity from known state-backed hacking groups. But what they uncovered was something far more advanced — a mysterious Spanish-speaking group targeting global institutions with alarming precision and stealth. They named it Careto, a Spanish slang term meaning “ugly face” or “mask.”
For years, Careto operated in the shadows, spying on governments, corporations, and individuals across dozens of countries. Although its true origins remained officially unconfirmed for a long time, investigators strongly suspected that the group was backed by a Western government. Now, insider sources reveal that Careto was likely run by the Spanish government itself — a rare insight into a European-led cyber-espionage program.
This is the full story of how Careto was discovered, how it worked, who it targeted, and what it tells us about the future of digital surveillance.
The Accidental Discovery
In the early 2010s, Kaspersky Lab’s security team was monitoring traffic anomalies in their network, typical of phishing campaigns orchestrated by nation-state actors. However, as they dug deeper, they realized they were dealing with malware far more complex than usual. The coding style, infrastructure, and operational discipline suggested a new actor with capabilities rivalling the most sophisticated intelligence agencies in the world.
The malware contained traces of Spanish language usage, both in the code and in its naming conventions. It also used advanced stealth methods to avoid detection, suggesting the creators had deep knowledge of antivirus systems and cybersecurity tools.
The malware’s internal reference to the word “Careto” — Spanish slang for a mask — became the group’s unofficial name, fitting for a campaign designed to conceal its presence behind a convincing façade.
A Global Campaign of Espionage
Careto was not just another cybercrime operation seeking to steal credit card numbers or disrupt networks for ransom. It was a fully-fledged espionage framework, capable of collecting vast amounts of sensitive data from its victims.
Targets included:
- Government agencies in Latin America, Africa, and Europe
- Embassies and diplomatic offices
- Energy firms and oil companies
- Activists and journalists
- Research institutions and think tanks
One of the earliest known targets was the Cuban government, indicating geopolitical motivations behind the campaign. Careto was highly selective, focusing on institutions of strategic interest.
Inside the Malware
What made Careto particularly dangerous was its modular architecture and its ability to infect multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and potentially mobile platforms like Android and iOS.
The malware toolkit included:
- Keystroke loggers
- Screen grabbers
- Network sniffers
- Key extraction tools (for encryption keys and VPN credentials)
- Tools to intercept VoIP communications, including Skype
- Rootkits to maintain persistence and invisibility
Careto was also capable of evading most commercial antivirus software of the time. Once it gained access to a system, it operated silently in the background, exfiltrating data back to command-and-control servers through encrypted channels.
The design suggested a high degree of professionalism, likely involving a team of developers, analysts, linguists, and intelligence operatives.
Attribution and the Spanish Government Connection
For years, cybersecurity researchers were unable to definitively attribute Careto to any one country. The use of Spanish in the codebase pointed to a Latin American or Iberian origin, but that alone was not enough for confirmation.
Privately, however, those closest to the investigation had a strong suspicion. According to sources familiar with the research, the team at Kaspersky came to believe that the operation was linked to Spanish intelligence services. The malware’s specific targeting — including surveillance of political opponents and embassies — aligned with the strategic interests of a European government seeking to maintain influence in former colonies and regions of interest.
Moreover, the infrastructure used by Careto, including its network of servers and domain registrations, was handled with military-grade operational security, another indicator that it was backed by a state apparatus.
Though Spain never officially acknowledged the operation, the mounting circumstantial evidence painted a clear picture.
Careto vs. Other APTs
Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) are usually associated with major cyber powers like the United States, China, Russia, or Iran. Careto’s discovery added Spain to the list — a country not previously known for aggressive cyber-operations.
Compared to other APTs, Careto stood out in several ways:
- Its multilingual, cross-platform capability was rare
- It showed extensive use of decoy tactics, including redirection to legitimate news websites
- It maintained stealth for over seven years before being discovered
This level of sophistication placed Careto on par with better-known malware such as Flame, Duqu, and Stuxnet.
Disappearance and Possible Resurgence
After Kaspersky’s public report in 2014, the Careto campaign appeared to vanish. The infrastructure went dark, and no new samples were detected. Some analysts assumed the group had been disbanded or reassigned.
However, sporadic evidence over the following years hinted that similar tools were being used in more targeted campaigns, especially in Latin America and North Africa. These newer tools shared code similarities with the original Careto framework but were more modernized and leaner — possibly a version 2.0 of the original platform.
This pattern mirrors the evolution seen in other nation-state tools, where exposed malware is replaced by more advanced and stealthier successors.
Lessons Learned
The Careto case underscores several critical lessons for cybersecurity professionals and policymakers:
- Attribution is difficult: Even with language clues and targeting patterns, pinning down a state actor requires more than technical forensics.
- Small nations have powerful tools: Cyber capabilities are no longer exclusive to superpowers. Even mid-tier countries can launch sophisticated campaigns.
- Cross-platform threats are rising: Malware that works on multiple systems is becoming the norm, requiring broader defense strategies.
- Transparency matters: Companies like Kaspersky play a vital role in exposing threats, even when those threats come from Western governments.
The Future of Government Hacking
As global tensions rise and the line between peace and digital war continues to blur, the tools and tactics developed in operations like Careto are likely to spread. Leaked source code, shared techniques, and imitation by other nations will only expand the toolkit available to malicious actors.
Careto reminds us that cyber-espionage is a global game, and no country is immune from either launching or falling victim to these operations
Frequently Asked Question
What is Careto?
Careto, also known as “The Mask,” was a highly sophisticated cyber-espionage campaign discovered by cybersecurity researchers. It was active for several years and used advanced malware to spy on governments, corporations, and individuals across multiple countries.
Why is it called Careto?
The name “Careto” comes from a Spanish slang word meaning “ugly face” or “mask.” Researchers found this term embedded in the malware’s code and used it to name the group.
Who discovered Careto?
Careto was discovered by researchers at Kaspersky Lab, a well-known cybersecurity firm. They first detected the group’s activities while investigating suspicious internet traffic.
Who was behind Careto?
While Careto was never officially attributed to a specific country, multiple sources — including cybersecurity experts — now believe the Spanish government was behind the operation, based on the language in the code and the group’s strategic targets.
What kind of data did Careto steal?
Careto’s malware could intercept keystrokes, capture screenshots, steal encryption keys, monitor Skype calls, and extract VPN configurations — giving attackers full access to victims’ digital lives.
Which systems were affected by Careto?
The malware was designed to infect a wide range of systems, including Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. There were also indications of versions for Android and iOS, though these were less widely confirmed.
Who were the targets of Careto?
The campaign targeted governments, diplomatic missions, energy companies, research institutions, and activists. Victims were located in more than 30 countries, including Cuba, Morocco, and Brazil.
How did Careto infect its targets?
The group used spear-phishing emails and malicious links disguised as trusted websites to trick users into downloading the malware. Once installed, the software ran silently in the background.
Why was Careto considered advanced?
Careto’s malware used rootkits and encryption, could evade antivirus detection, and was modular and cross-platform. Its stealth and complexity suggested involvement by a well-funded, state-backed entity.
Is Careto still active?
After its exposure in 2014, Careto’s infrastructure went offline. However, there have been signs of similar campaigns that may be linked to the same group or its successors, particularly in Latin America and Africa.
What can we learn from the Careto case?
Careto serves as a reminder of how sophisticated and far-reaching state-sponsored cyber-espionage can be. It also highlights the importance of vigilance, transparency, and international cybersecurity cooperation.
Conclusion
The revelation that the Spanish government may have been behind the Careto operation marks a significant shift in the public understanding of European cyber capabilities. It also highlights how even the most secretive campaigns can eventually be brought to light through patient, detailed investigation.
