Pentagon Hit by Unprecedented Cyber Attack

[Sapiens]

Pentagon Hit by Unprecedented Cyber Attack
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008...dented-attack/

As a result of the cyber attack, the Defense Department has banned the use of external hardware devices throughout a vast network of military computers.

...

[lurker]

Re: Pentagon Hit by Unprecedented Cyber Attack

Let me guess. Windows remote desktop (TCP port 3389) .... "Administrator" .... "password" (or blank) and bingo .... you're in.

[ggirod]

Re: Pentagon Hit by Unprecedented Cyber Attack

From the story

"Due to the presence of commercial malware, CDR USSTRATCOM has banned the use of removable media (thumb drives, CDRs/DVDRs, floppy disks) on all DoD networks and computers effective immediately."

Thumb drives and other removable media devices are very effective vectors for malware infestation. Malware authors around the world write specific attacks for victims like the Pentagon, major corporations, and others and then launch them to likely "carriers" homes and office email addresses. They carry in the thumb drive with the latest trojan and it is all over. Security is very difficult or impossible in cases in which people can bring malware into the facility. Malware can be an invisible spy sending information out past all of the protections that are looking outward for threats.

One of the most serious problems is that much of the US infrastructure is automated and networked and, even if a proper firewall is in place, malware can be carried past it in a briefcase, a contractor's laptop, and other hosts. Sooner or later, probably during an international incident, some nation will demonstrate how our infrastructure is already owned by shutting down a chunk of the the grid or something similar. This is not paranoia but it will sound a lot like it until it happens. We can hope that the controls engineers who developed the automation thought of safety consistently and made the controls robust and failure tolerant. If they did, the consequences of an attack will be a shutdown or a nuisance, if they didn't, the shutdown could be very destructive.

[Mega]

Re: Pentagon Hit by Unprecedented Cyber Attack

Er...........it might have been me................i was trying to log on to my fav porn site...& the computer went a bit funny!

Mike

[grizam303]

Re: Pentagon Hit by Unprecedented Cyber Attack

Some DoD networks are not connected to any other networks, but that doesn't mean people can't play Call of Duty on them. But what if you're playing on the secret network and your buddy is on the unclassified? No problem, just plug the classified computer into the unclassified network!

And yes, this happens.

[TRake]

Re: Pentagon Hit by Unprecedented Cyber Attack

Some DoD networks are not connected to any other networks, but that doesn't mean people can't play Call of Duty on them. But what if you're playing on the secret network and your buddy is on the unclassified? No problem, just plug the classified computer into the unclassified network!

And yes, this happens.

Yes, this does happen. I think a part of the problem is that anyone who has extensive networking and cyber security knowledge is simply not going to work for the US government, or state or local govt for that matter. The govt simply does not pay good enough. I worked for the govt for 6 years. I am now making about 40-50% more for a fortune 500 company.

TRake

[grapejelly]

Re: Pentagon Hit by Unprecedented Cyber Attack

C'mon. This is part of the massive huge power grab unfolding before our eyes a la 9/11 where the Feds are going to begin massive intrusion into our computer networks.

[TRake]

Re: Pentagon Hit by Unprecedented Cyber Attack

C'mon. This is part of the massive huge power grab unfolding before our eyes a la 9/11 where the Feds are going to begin massive intrusion into our computer networks.

I don't think they are good enough to accomplish that.
There is not enough motivation. Unless this administration is giving orders and people mindlessly follow. Hmmm, maybe they could accomplish something.

[WildspitzE]

Re: Pentagon Hit by Unprecedented Cyber Attack

C'mon. This is part of the massive huge power grab unfolding before our eyes a la 9/11 where the Feds are going to begin massive intrusion into our computer networks.

Werd.

Baby steps...
http://www.itulip.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9416