Major cyber spy network uncovered
Monday, March 30th, 2009An electronic spy network, based mainly in China, has infiltrated computers from government offices around the world, Canadian researchers Information Warfare Monitor (IWM), comprised of Ottawa-based think tank SecDev Group and the University of Toronto’s Munk Centre for International Studies say after a 10-month investigation.
These types of attacks were not new, but they stood out because of “their ability to collect actionable intelligence for use by the police and security services of a repressive state, with potentially fatal consequences for those exposed”.
The report said the network had infiltrated 1,295 computers in 103 countries, including computers belonging to foreign ministries and embassies and those linked with the Dalai Lama – Tibet’s spiritual leader.
There is no conclusive evidence China’s government was behind it, researchers say. Beijing also denied involvement.
Researchers found that ministries of foreign affairs of Iran, Bangladesh, Latvia, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei, Barbados and Bhutan appear to had been targeted.
Hacked systems were also discovered in the embassies of India, South Korea, Indonesia, Romania, Cyprus, Malta, Thailand, Taiwan, Portugal, Germany and Pakistan.
Analysts say the attacks are in effect industrial espionage, with hackers showing an interest in the activities of lawmakers and major companies.
