International Hackers Trying to Hack US Networks

A top counterintelligence official claims that around 140 foreign intelligence organizations are planning to hack the systems of the government and companies of the US.

As per the reports of CNN on October 20, 2007, the National Counterintelligence Executive, Joel Brenner, said that it is not at all appropriate to blame only the government of China for latest penetrations of govt. PCs. He also said that they are getting hints from everywhere and it is really unfair to blame only one country. Further, he calls it a pervasive problem.

Joel suggests that as the hackers easily disguised themselves where an attack emerges, the best solution is to adopt strict measures for their own networks instead of blaming others. Further, he also put forth the vulnerability of the US electronic networks to hackers and the risks due to distribution of equipment whose software and components are produced overseas.

On October 19, 2007, Joel said at a symposium on cyber security that the electronic system of the nation is very easy to hack and the number of hackers has grown manifold. He further added that unknown provenance increases the chances of risk that a foreign govt. could operate vulnerabilities in the most sensitive information system.

Joel also cautioned about the chaos which the hackers can bring about by manipulating information in electronic systems, the private industry, govt., and the military depends on. In the US, the financial markets, the water and sewer systems, air and ground traffic control systems, electricity grid and payroll systems are electronically dependent and are also controlled by electronics. Moreover, they are prone to sophisticated attacks by both freelance and state sponsored terrorists.

In the last spring, a coordinated cyber attack which was launched against Estonia will surely not be the last one against a nation. Joel said that they should take the warning seriously and start working on protecting their networks and should dismiss all intrusions of adversary cyber.

The matter has received serious attention even at the level of federal govt. The govt. should introduce some more constructive and developed ways to warn the private sector and universities about the attacks and some law should also be mended.

Related article: Internet Threat Volumes Overwhelm Security Companies

» SPAMfighter News - 11/5/2007