Dan Goodin of Ars Technica writes about a newly-discovered hacking platform recently revealed by Kaspersky.
They are labeling the operators 'Equation Group,' and multiple zero-day exploits in the malware kit appear to be related to those which were used by Stuxnet to hack Iran's Natanz nuclear facility in 2010. It is by far the most advanced malware ever discovered, going so far as to flash malicious firmware on the hard disks of no fewer than 12 vendors. Much of the malware was distributed through usual channels such as Java vulnerabilities or ad networks, but it was even found on CDs which were mailed to attendees of a conference in Houston in 2009 which were intercepted and modified to deliver the malicious payload.
The sophistication of the operations and the malware itself leave little doubt that Equation Group is is a state-sponsored organization. The scariest part of it might be that the operation is over 14 years old and unfortunately, much of the malware is yet to be reverse-engineered. Kaspersky has been reaching out to white hats for further assistance in determining the nature and capabilities of the software.
(Score: 2) by Hairyfeet on Tuesday February 17 2015, @08:46PM
You can try to hand wave it away but try reading it again...
"Of the tens of thousands of government employees of any particular country, just how many realistically could be involved in this sort of activity? 0.001%? It's a bit of a stretch to say if you work for the government you're a criminal. For every one of these so-called criminals there's undoubtedly a few thousand employees who perform mundane tasks like open mail and stamp forms all day"
Now are you REALLY gonna try to sit here and argue that isn't ringing ANY bells?
ACs are never seen so don't bother. Always ready to show SJWs for the racists they are.
(Score: 2) by goody on Wednesday February 18 2015, @12:16AM
I'm arguing that it's rather inane to claim anyone who works for the government is a criminal, regardless of whatever far-reaching connections you're attempting to make. If you think you can prove that it's reasonable to assume everyone working for the government is a criminal like the OP, have at it.