More than 50 Norwegian oil and energy companies have been hacked by unknown attackers, according to government security authorities.
A further 250 firms have been advised by the Norwegian government that they ought to check their networks and systems for evidence of a breach [...] .
State-owned Statoil, Norway's largest petro company, appears to be the main target of what's described as the country's biggest ever hack attack. Statoil is a major contributor to the Norwegian government's coffers, and as such - unlike most major oil and gas companies, perhaps - its revenues mainly go to fuel the Scandinavian social miracle rather than funnelling wealth to the usual suspects.
National Security Authority Norway (Nasjonal Sikkerhetsmyndighet – NSM) passed on the warnings after it was tipped off regarding imminent attacks by "international contacts". The methods and motives of the unknown perpetrators remain unclear.
Attacks of this type in Norway have been seen before. Three years ago, at least ten oil, gas and defence sector firms in in Norway were hacked via targeted spear-phishing emails. Unidentified hackers made off with industrial drawings, contracts and login credentials.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 28 2014, @04:33AM
Pussy ass hackers get out of the basement get off your lazy asses and invade, in the real world! Norway has oil! Shoot those bastards and take it take it take it all! That's the American way!
(Score: 2) by Snotnose on Thursday August 28 2014, @05:00AM
How do you know that's not the plan? Norway has oil, "hackers" attack it, USA comes in and owns it.
Relationship status: Available for curbside pickup.
(Score: 2) by nyder on Thursday August 28 2014, @05:10AM
Well, we could go in and "liberate" it, and leave, so the ISIS can take it over.
Guess you are damned either way...
(Score: 2) by aristarchus on Thursday August 28 2014, @05:25AM
Please pay attention to global events, people. This is all about the vote for Scottish independence, and claims to North Sea oil. "if it's not Scottish, its crap!"
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 28 2014, @09:29AM
> Please pay attention to global events, people. This is all about the vote for Scottish independence,
I would have picked Russia. Their only leverage with Ukraine and the west is oil. Screwing with a source of european oil makes russian oil more valuable, harder to sanction.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Alfred on Thursday August 28 2014, @01:52PM
What did Norway ever do to you?
What did Norway ever do to anyone really? Mostly pacifists over there.
Maybe these are the baby hackers looking for something easy to cut their teeth on.
(Score: 2, Informative) by archfeld on Thursday August 28 2014, @06:01PM
PACIFISTS ?!?! Try doing some reading on WW2. The term Quisling was used in the Z-war, check out where it came from. Norway is a bunch of hypocrites and borderline crazies parading as a peaceful people, as long as everyone does what they say and smiles happily. Under the covers they are ready to SNAP, it is always the quiet normal ones that you have to worry about...
For the NSA : Explosives, guns, assassination, conspiracy, primers, detonators, initiators, main charge, nuclear charge
(Score: 5, Informative) by Wootery on Thursday August 28 2014, @09:44AM
Indeed. The BBC published this yesterday [bbc.com] about exactly that. Short version: a populace who trust the government, and a government who seem to be trustworthy.
(Score: 1) by idetuxs on Thursday August 28 2014, @10:46PM
That is news. Amazing.