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Kaspersky Claims to have Found NSA's Advanced Malware Trojan

posted by janrinok on Monday March 16 2015, @02:08PM   Printer-friendly
from the likely-but-not-proven dept.

mendax writes:

All of you knew that it could only get worse:

Kaspersky malware probers have uncovered a new 'operating system-like' platform that [they claim] was developed and used by the National Security Agency (NSA) in its Equation spying arsenal. The EquationDrug or Equestre platform is used to deploy [an estimated] 116 plug-in modules to target computers that can siphon data and spy on victims. So far, only 30 modules have been identified.

"It's important to note that EquationDrug is not just a trojan, but a full espionage platform, which includes a framework for conducting cyber-espionage activities by deploying specific modules on the machines of selected victims," Kaspersky researchers say in a report.

The article goes on to explain that Kaspersky further believes that the software is part of the "NSA's campaign to infect hard disk firmware". There is considerably more detail in the article.

I think I am going to get my old manual typewriter out of the garage, get a new ribbon, use U.S. Mail instead of e-mail, and buy more ink for my fountain pens.

 
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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 16 2015, @05:00PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 16 2015, @05:00PM (#158459)

    How do you intend to boot from a fully encrypted disk?

    The bootloader has to be in the clear, and that is were the firmware hack can insert its own code.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 16 2015, @05:50PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 16 2015, @05:50PM (#158481)

    From a floppy disk... duh!

  • (Score: 2) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Monday March 16 2015, @10:14PM

    by MichaelDavidCrawford (2339) Subscriber Badge <mdcrawford@gmail.com> on Monday March 16 2015, @10:14PM (#158604) Homepage Journal

    You would only need the HD for files that change.

    --
    Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 16 2015, @10:48PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 16 2015, @10:48PM (#158616)

      Do you think the firmware on a DVD drive can't be infected?