InfoWar.com » Cyberthreats

US government hits Megaupload with mega piracy indictment

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:15:17 +0000

“The US government has closed down one of the world’s largest filesharing websites, accusing its founders of racketeering, money laundering and presiding over “massive” online piracy.

According to prosecutors, Megaupload illegally cheated copyright holders out of $500m in revenue as part of a criminal enterprise spanning five years.”

Source: US government hits Megaupload with mega piracy indictment | Technology | guardian.co.uk

Malicious Software Attacks Security Cards Used by Pentagon

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:01:14 +0000

“Chinese hackers have deployed a new cyber weapon that is aimed at the Defense Department, the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department and potentially a number of other United States government agencies and businesses, security researchers say.”

Source: Malicious Software Attacks Security Cards Used by Pentagon – NYTimes.com

Davos report: Cyber-attack risk to global stability is real

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:34:48 +0000

“Cyber-attacks against governments and businesses are among the top five risks in the world in terms of likelihood, according to the startlingly obvious World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Risks for 2012 report.

According to the international organisation, famous for its annual conferences held in the Swiss resort of Davos, cyber-attacks come in at number four of the risks most likely to materialise: just behind economic fears about income disparity and fiscal imbalances, and concern about rising greenhouse gas emissions.”

(Source: Davos report: Cyber-attack risk to global stability is real • The Register.)

Iran Mounts New Web Crackdown

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:52:48 +0000

“Iran is mounting new clampdowns on Internet expression, including rules that will impose layers of surveillance in the country’s popular Internet cafes, as Tehran’s political establishment comes under increasing strains from economic turmoil and threats of more international sanctions.”

(Source: Iran Mounts New Web Crackdown – WSJ.com.)

New slow-motion DoS attack: just a few PCs, little fear of detection

admin — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 01:30:36 +0000

“Qualys Security Labs researcher Sergey Shekyan has created a proof-of-concept tool that could be used to essentially shut down websites from a single computer with little fear of detection. The attack exploits the nature of the Internet’s Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), forcing the target server to keep a network connection open by performing a “slow read” of the server’s responses.”

(Source: New slow-motion DoS attack: just a few PCs, little fear of detection.)

Cyber war, car malware among top tech threats

admin — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:14:14 +0000

“A security research firm predicted on Wednesday that cyber attacks involving governments, organizations and even cars will become major threats in 2012.”

(Cyber war, car malware among top tech threats: report | CTV News)

Flash Crash Threatens to Return With a Vengeance

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:44:26 +0000

“Think about it for a moment. A full 18 months have passed since the strange episode that caused the Dow Jones [.DJI 12227.89 -59.15 (-0.48%) ] to tumble 650 points in half an hour, wiping $850 billion off share prices, before rebounding. Since then, the issue has faded from view amid the eurozone drama.

But to this day, nobody has fully explained what really happened on May 6. Nor is there any evidence that the fundamental problems that caused the flash crash have been resolved. That leaves some scientists fearing that not only is a repeat of that flash crash possible, but it is probable — and next time round, it could be even more damaging.”

(Source: US, Asia, EU Business News: Flash Crash Threatens to Return With a Vengeance – CNBC.)

Cyber Threat to Power Grid Puts Utility Investors at Risk

admin — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:21:44 +0000

“The electric-utility industry’s concerns about cyber security has escalated sufficiently for several investor-owned utilities to include cyber-attacks as a material risk factor in recent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.”

Source: Cyber Threat to Power Grid Puts Utility Investors at Risk – Forbes

4 in Philippines Accused of Hacking U.S. Phones to Aid Terrorists

admin — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:04:56 +0000

“Four people in the Philippines hacked into the accounts of AT&T business customers in the United States and diverted money to a group that financed terrorist attacks across Asia, according to police officials in the Philippines.”

(Source: 4 in Philippines Accused of Hacking U.S. Phones to Aid Terrorists – NYTimes.com.)

U.S. military, Taliban use Twitter to wage war

admin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:50:30 +0000

“The Twitter war began in earnest Sept. 14, in the midst of a sustained attack on the U.S. Embassy in Kabul and the adjacent headquarters of the U.S.-led international military force.”

Source: U.S. military, Taliban use Twitter to wage war – The Washington Post