Chinese Hackers Consistently Target U.S. Networks

A cyber attack on a computer system of U.S. military has raised concerns in many quarters about Internet hacking and need to enhance security of cyber infrastructure.

In November, an intrusion into the network of Naval War College forced authorities to get it offline for many weeks, according to Lt. Cmdr. Doug Gabos - spokesman for Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command in Norfolk, Va. He assumes some Chinese hackers' hand behind the breach, reported Toptechnews on March 12, 2007.

In February 2007, a Netwarcomm official whose name was not disclosed had commented about Chinese attackers to Federal Computer Weekly. He said they "exploit anything and everything". Theinquirer.net had published this statement in that month. Attacks coming from China have a number of motives such as to steal intellectual property, collect intelligence, do research on U.S. military operations, and to create beachheads inside U.S. military networks so that the attackers can use them in future.

While Chinese online attackers use more of conventional hacking methods like worms and viruses, however, they employ them more sophisticatedly, according to Allan Paller, who is the director with security research org. SANS Institute.

The break-ins highlight the weaknesses of U.S. cyber security. They also assert that the federal govt. should frame policies and outline responsibilities for public & private sectors for tackling terrorists and hackers, divulge Internet security experts and military officials as also Jody Westby, who is the CEO for Global Cyber Risk.

Hackers from China have been constantly breaking into data of U.S. companies and government agencies launching targeted Trojan attacks that typically exploit Microsoft vulnerabilities, SecurityFocus reported in February 2007.

There is no security designed for the Internet, yet 243 countries connect to it, Westby said. He estimated that about hundred countries are considering launching infowar capabilities. He also noted that many countries have not framed cyber crime laws, Toptechnews reported on March 12, 2007.

Meanwhile U.S. cyber warfare strategies are not united because organizations like the National Security Agency responsible for cyber offense and Naval Network Warfare Command for defense are not interconnected, according to General James Cartwright, who is the commander of Strategic Command.

Related article: Chinese Hackers Threatening Korean Game Sites

» SPAMfighter News - 3/21/2007