Posted on 04/14/2008 4:34:47 AM PDT by Perseverando
A BusinessWeek probe of rising attacks on America's most sensitive computer networks uncovers startling security gaps
The e-mail message addressed to a Booz Allen Hamilton executive was mundane—a shopping list sent over by the Pentagon of weaponry India wanted to buy. But the missive turned out to be a brilliant fake. Lurking beneath the description of aircraft, engines, and radar equipment was an insidious piece of computer code known as "Poison Ivy" designed to suck sensitive data out of the $4 billion consulting firm's computer network.
The Pentagon hadn't sent the e-mail at all. Its origin is unknown, but the message traveled through Korea on its way to Booz Allen. Its authors knew enough about the "sender" and "recipient" to craft a message unlikely to arouse suspicion. Had the Booz Allen executive clicked on the attachment, his every keystroke would have been reported back to a mysterious master at the Internet address cybersyndrome.3322.org, which is registered through an obscure company headquartered on the banks of China's Yangtze River.
The U.S. government, and its sprawl of defense contractors, have been the victims of an unprecedented rash of similar cyber attacks over the last two years, say current and former U.S. government officials. "It's espionage on a massive scale," says Paul B. Kurtz, a former high-ranking national security official. Government agencies reported 12,986 cyber security incidents to the U.S. Homeland Security Dept. last fiscal year, triple the number from two years earlier. Incursions on the military's networks were up 55% last year, says Lieutenant General Charles E. Croom, head of the Pentagon's Joint Task Force for Global Network Operations. Private targets like Booz Allen are just as vulnerable and pose just as much potential security risk. "They have our information on their networks. They're building our weapon systems.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessweek.com ...
Sorry, I won’t re able to add comments. I’ll be away from the “PCP” (Pajama Command Post) for a couple of hours.
Nothing new to China’s espionage or use of the internet to get secrets.
May be of interest.
Made in China?
< |:)~
Ohhh but we LOOOOOOVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEE trading with them, our Governor in Georgia got all moist at the arrival of the recent spy network, uhh trade delegation,..being set up here.Two new offices for Chinese Spies, I mean Trade Representatives.Guess there will be a lot more slightly dented, hap haphazardly parked little cars with funny antennas parked outside Lockheed Martin and Dobbins AFB. Nothing to see here MPs, move along, just our friends the Chinese participating in free trade.
Spies from everywhere and traitors from within. I’m amazed we have lasted so long.
tripod wrote:
Spies from everywhere and traitors from within. I’m amazed we have lasted so long.”
Frankly I consider the awful truth of your statement on occasion and can only come to the same conclusion.
And they’re hanging on your every word now and planning for all of those who speak out, their early demise!
Rots a' Ruck!
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