Most China-based hacking carried out by 'select few'
Summary: Security analysts and experts suggest only a small number of groups in China are responsible for high-profile cyberattacks on U.S. targets.
U.S. cybersecurity analysts believe that as few as 12 different Chinese groups could be responsible for the majority of cyberattacks on the United States.
Experts suggest that this 'select' set of hacking groups may be backed, or directed by the Chinese government itself.
The theories understand that these groups are given 'orders' to go after specific companies or technologies -- and that sometimes they even compete with one another.
There have been several intrusions traced back to Beijing, but there was insufficient proof to confirm these fears.
U.S. officials are nevertheless reluctant to make any links without concrete evidence.
There have been several high profile cyberattacks linked back to China in the past few years. Operation Aurora famously targeted Google and several other organisations between 2009 and 2010, which eventually led to Google's withdrawal from China.
Although it would be largely impossible and politically inflammatory for the U.S. to prosecute hackers in China, some are urging the U.S. government to take a stronger stand against the potential threat.
Jon Ramsey, Dell SecureWorks' counter-threat chief said: "There is not deterrent not to attack the U.S.", adding that the government "needs to do more to increase the risk."
"Industry is already feeling that they are at war," James Cartwright, former vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. "Right now we have the worst of worlds. If you want to attack me you can do it all you want, because I can't do anything about it."
Many companies are feeling frustrated that the U.S. government is not putting enough pressure on China to stop attacks. With counterfeit products, from fake iPhones to fake PlayStation Vita's appearing in China, it is no wonder that businesses feel as though their intellectual property is being attacked.
China has rejected allegations of cyber-spying, stating that it is also the victim of attacks, and without any solid evidence it would be extremely difficult to prove any allegations at all.
The analysts however suggest that they are able to trace attacks back to Chinese hackers through digital fingerprints left by the attacks. It may be that evidence will be found to directly trace the alleged hackers, strengthening the U.S. government's case further.
Related:
- ZDNet Special Report: Google, China Showdown
- NYT: Google cyber attacks traced to Chinese Schools
- MPAA and RIAA websites hit by cyberattack
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Talkback
RE: Most China-based hacking carried out by 'select few'
Marxism 101
RE: Most China-based hacking carried out by 'select few'
Warning: New Nasty Win 7 Antispyware 2012 on Microsoft Windows 7
RE: Most China-based hacking carried out by 'select few'
What you two seem to forget is that these attackers are [b]outside[/b] of our jurisdiction. The Feds can file all of the charges they want, but, to expect the Chinese to "hand over" their citizens for trial is 'wishful thinking'. Even more so, if these 'hackers' are performing the hacks at the 'request' of Chinese officials. And, also remember, don't you think [b]we[/b] do the same thing? Are you willing to 'hand over' Americans to the Chinese because [b]they say[/b] that they have been hacked? I doubt it!
(shakes head!)
RE: Most China-based hacking carried out by 'select few'
5 hours? I'm guessing you Googled it right?
Simple. Download one or the other. Microsoft Safety Scanner from Microsoft or Microsoft Defender Offline Scanner from Microsoft. The better would be the offline scanner. Download and burn it to CD/DVD or select USB which will image your USB flash stick to be bootable. Start your PC and press F12 repeatedly and you should get a boot menu, if you don't see one try rebooting and pressing the Del or Delete key repeatedly for the boot menu. You should see several boot options two of which should be CD/DVD rom and USB. Whatever method you chose to use either burn > CD/DVD or USB Flash stick > USB and press any key to boot from device. It will take some time to load everything into memory off the device but once loaded it will show you a scanner. Do a quick scan or full scan (Recommended) and it should pick up the threats and then remove/delete/clean it. Reboot and it is gone! Sounds simple because it is simple. All free as well. When done download install Microsoft Security Essentials (Free Anti-Virus from Microsoft) to protect yourself.
On another note, I do agree the government should be doing more but then again you never know what they are doing behind closed doors as we speak ;)
RE: Most China-based hacking carried out by 'select few'
So you want Obama to go to war with China over some hackers?
And for the record Bush and Obama have identical policies here....
RE: Most China-based hacking carried out by 'select few'
RE: Most China-based hacking carried out by 'select few'
/Facepalm
"We know exactly where the attacks originate in China."
Given that it is doubtful China has given us access to their systems to find out, I highly doubt that we know exactly where they are.
"Give them 24 hours to stop and knowing they won???t and then drop a couple of cruise missiles down their throats."
While we are at it, we should probably send a cruise missile to Kevin Mitnick and DVD John's houses too amirite?
"The value of all of these things exceeds our entire national debt."
So, basically, talk them out of us having to pay back the loans they gave us?
Are you familiar with the term mutually-assured-destruction? Let me explain that. See, when two countries have significant amounts of nuclear weapons on intercontinental ballistic missiles, they possess the ability to wipe each other out entirely. So they mostly play nice and occasionally spar in indirect ways like, for example, hacking each other or peering at each other's territory via satellites and spy planes. What they DON'T do is openly kill each other.
Not to mention that China has proven capability to destroy satellites and our aircraft carriers so even before exercising a nuclear option they can make things very, very expensive for us. Quite aside from the fact that it would wreck both our countries economies.
If we can keep it to this sort of mild sparring, that would be fantastic.
Stop Whinnings and Talks are Cheap
Right - The U.S. will Bite the Hand that Feeds it
Makes sense
RE: Most China-based hacking carried out by 'select few'
Paradox
That said, we're dealing with a paradox; a highly organized communist state that at the same time refines and practices capitalism at an unimaginable level.
Throw in a total disregard for the rules and you end up with a formidable adversary.