Cyber-Angriffe: USA infizieren Zehntausende Computer mit NSA-Trojanern

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Die Hackerangriffe durch US-Geheimdienste erreichen eine neue Dimension: Bald sollen weltweit 85.000 Systeme mit Spionage-Software infiziert sein, berichtet die "Washington Post". Die NSA plant, die befallenen Computer als eine Art Bot-Netz zu kontrollieren.

Washington - Geheime Haushaltspläne der US-Geheimdienste liefern laut "Washington Post" Beweise dafür, dass die USA weltweit Computersysteme angreifen und unter ihre Kontrolle bringen. Unter dem Codenamen "Genie" laufen bei der NSA weltweite Angriffe auf Computer-Infrastruktur.

Die NSA spricht von Implantaten ("implants") auf fremden Rechnern, im Grunde handelt es sich dabei um Trojaner. Die NSA-Software kontrolliert die befallenen Systeme unbemerkt und nimmt Kommandos entgegen. Das sind die wichtigsten Enthüllungen der "Washington Post" zum "Genie"-Programm: » | Von Konrad Lischka und Julia Stanek | Samstag, 31. August 2013

Syria's War Moves to Electronic Battlefield

Hackers linked to regime forces responsible for several cyber-attacks in recent weeks says an internet security company.

Electricity Grid in U.S. Penetrated By Spies
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: WASHINGTON -- Cyberspies have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system, according to current and former national-security officials.

The spies came from China, Russia and other countries, these officials said, and were believed to be on a mission to navigate the U.S. electrical system and its controls. The intruders haven't sought to damage the power grid or other key infrastructure, but officials warned they could try during a crisis or war.

"The Chinese have attempted to map our infrastructure, such as the electrical grid," said a senior intelligence official. "So have the Russians."

The espionage appeared pervasive across the U.S. and doesn't target a particular company or region, said a former Department of Homeland Security official. "There are intrusions, and they are growing," the former official said, referring to electrical systems. "There were a lot last year."

Many of the intrusions were detected not by the companies in charge of the infrastructure but by U.S. intelligence agencies, officials said. Intelligence officials worry about cyber attackers taking control of electrical facilities, a nuclear power plant or financial networks via the Internet.

Authorities investigating the intrusions have found software tools left behind that could be used to destroy infrastructure components, the senior intelligence official said. He added, "If we go to war with them, they will try to turn them on." >>> By Siobhan Gorman —Rebecca Smith contributed to this article | Wednesday, April 8, 2009