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Chinese spyware code was copied from America's NSA: researchers
Reuters ^ | February 22, 2021 | By Raphael Satter

Posted on 02/22/2021 5:09:14 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer

WASHINGTON - Chinese spies used code first developed by the U.S. National Security Agency to support their hacking operations, Israeli researchers said on Monday, another indication of how malicious software developed by governments can boomerang against their creators.

Tel Aviv-based Check Point Software Technologies issued a report noting that some features in a piece of China-linked malware it dubs “Jian” were so similar they could only have been stolen from some of the National Security Agency break-in tools leaked to the internet in 2017.

Yaniv Balmas, Checkpoint’s head of research, called Jian “kind of a copycat, a Chinese replica.”

The find comes as some experts argue that American spies should devote more energy to fixing the flaws they find in software instead of developing and deploying malicious software to exploit it.

The NSA declined comment. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment.

A person familiar with the matter said Lockheed Martin Corp – which is credited as having identified the vulnerability exploited by Jian in 2017 – discovered it on the network of an unidentified third party.

In a statement, Lockheed said it “routinely evaluates third-party software and technologies to identify vulnerabilities.”

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: ccp; china; code; communists; nsa

1 posted on 02/22/2021 5:09:14 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

More like “was given to the CCP”


2 posted on 02/22/2021 5:29:22 AM PST by KC_Lion
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I’m sure the NSA gave the CCP the code. “Here, Comrad, try this”!


3 posted on 02/22/2021 5:33:05 AM PST by RobertoinAL
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Tel Aviv-based Check Point Software Technologies issued a report noting that some features in a piece of China-linked malware it dubs “Jian” were so similar they could only have been stolen from some of the National Security Agency break-in tools leaked to the internet in 2017.

How can something be stolen that was previously "leaked"? I remember when it was "leaked" and there was no way I was going to try to download it.

4 posted on 02/22/2021 5:33:16 AM PST by Texas Fossil ((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
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To: Texas Fossil

“Leaked” sounds like there’s a traitor in NSA ranks. Civilians shouldn’t be there, as penalties and patriotism are best expressed in our military services.


5 posted on 02/22/2021 6:01:55 AM PST by Does so (The Media is the enemy of the people...Trial lawyers close behind...)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Gosh, they steal everything!


6 posted on 02/22/2021 6:04:14 AM PST by Renkluaf
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To: Does so

True. But whole “security clearance” thing is a total mess. My father in law had a very high clearance. When it came up for renewal, we saw evidence of it. Neighbors would ask funny questions.

It is nothing like that now. It is often political. They are all compromised. Even in the military. Not literally, but close to that.


7 posted on 02/22/2021 6:46:46 AM PST by Texas Fossil ((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
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To: Texas Fossil

“When it came up for renewal, we saw evidence of it. Neighbors would ask funny questions.”

Once when Hubby’s T.S. clearance was being renewed we had just moved into a new neighborhood and didn’t really know anyone there. Our neighbors obviously were avoiding us but we didn’t know why.

Searching for a missing cat brought us together with the people next door, and the man mentioned that a few weeks earlier government people were visiting the area asking if they had seen strange people, people in turbans, other strange goings-on, etc., at our house. They didn’t say why. Hubby explained.

Anyhow, we became close friends after that.

And so many of the people DH worked with obviously were compromised, especially the ex-pats, yet they continued in their positions. As you said, “a total mess”.


8 posted on 02/22/2021 6:54:17 AM PST by MayflowerMadam (Just because you're offended doesn't mean you're right.)
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To: KC_Lion

Biden probably gave them our codes on day one... 12 years ago.

No comment from NSA, snort.


9 posted on 02/22/2021 7:27:53 AM PST by bgill (Which came first, Covid-19 or Gates and Fauci's mRNA-1273 Moderna vax?)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Wasn’t that the software exposed by WikiLeaks found on Clinton’s server that was openly exposed to the public for at least an hour back in 2017?


10 posted on 02/22/2021 7:49:36 AM PST by RideForever (We are born to be tested ...)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

The NSA is not interested in helping make code, operating systems, and browsers more resistant to hacking. They gotta keep those back doors open for their own Deep State malicious activities.


11 posted on 02/22/2021 7:55:24 AM PST by who_would_fardels_bear (This is not my current tagline.)
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To: RobertoinAL

I’m sure the NSA gave the CCP the code.
ABCDEFG.........................
12345678910


12 posted on 02/22/2021 8:21:44 AM PST by Vaduz (women and children to be impacIQ of chimpsted the most.)
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To: Texas Fossil
When it came up for renewal, we saw evidence of it. Neighbors would ask funny questions.

I, too, had a very high USN clearance—one I wouldn't have even if I'd sampled Marijuana.

13 posted on 02/22/2021 2:41:38 PM PST by Does so (The Media is the enemy of the people...Trial lawyers close behind...)
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To: Does so

But now it is a political thing. Program does not accomplish what is necessary to protect the nation.


14 posted on 02/23/2021 4:06:49 AM PST by Texas Fossil ((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
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To: MayflowerMadam

Yes. Political Corruption will quickly destroy a great nation.


15 posted on 02/23/2021 4:13:49 AM PST by Texas Fossil ((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
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To: Does so

Agree.


16 posted on 02/23/2021 4:14:46 AM PST by Texas Fossil ((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
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