Security team uncovers "biggest ever" cyber attack

[Simon]

Security experts claim to have uncovered the biggest series of cyber attacks in history.

The organised operation targeted the UN as well as governments and companies around the world.

The five-year stealth attack hit 72 organisations around the world - including the US Government, the UN, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the World Anti-Doping Agency and a slew of tech and defence companies, according to security firm McAfee.

It's the latest in a series of international attacks that have seen China blamed for systematic data gathering and espionage.

As an example of the potential damage caused and methods used, McAfee said the UN was hacked when its systems were broken into at its secretariat in Geneva. The infiltrators hid their presence until discovered by McAfee, giving the perpetrators years to comb through secret data.

Read more: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/security/369085/security-team-uncovers-biggest-ever-cyber-attack

[Rik]

Are we surprised?

[Niall]

I'm not. When I used to admin for Jolt, we had to actively block Chinese IPs. They were constantly trying to get in to systems they weren't supposed to be in, then they died down a little and suddenly the Russian hackers started up in a big way. Now all you ever see is Chinese and Russian IP addresses scanning your ports. I don't know why the main points of entry into the UK backbone don't block them totally, after all if gaming companies, etc want to sell over there they'll create specific networks/sites for them.

Maybe they'll get the hint then.

[Rik]

Ukranian probes are also very common, Niall.

[Glenn]

I've blocked Golden Telecom on my forum, the Ukrainian attacks have stopped.

[Rik]

Could you add the ban here?

[Glenn]

If I can find the details

[Rik]

Thanks.

[Technical Ben]

I remember a story about a gift to a politician from a Russian diplomat. It was a clock, and ended up on the wall in some private American Embassy or Governmental office. It was checked to make sure it had no bugs in it. But it appears they had fitted a tiny bug that was powered by the sound of someone's voice alone (vibrations etc). Where there is a will...

[Rik]

There's a Harry?