30 March 2009
The researchers said the network is mainly based in China, and that 1,295 computers had been infiltrated in 103 countries. The computers included those belonging to foreign ministries and embassies, as well as those linked with Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
The Canadian researchers noted that there is no firm evidence that shows that China's government is behind the network, and government officials in Beijing denied involvement according to the BBC.
The report follows a 10-month investigation conducted by the Information Welfare Monitor (IWM), and is entitled Tracking GhostNet: Investigating a Cyber Espionage Network. The information in the report comes from Canadian firms SecDev Group and the Munk Centre for International Studies.
The group notes that they acted on a request from the Dalai Lama's office, who wanted to know if their computers were being monitored.
The researchers then found that the ministries of foreign affairs of Iran, Bangladesh, Latvia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Barbados and Bhutan all appeared to have been targeted by the same network. In addition, hacked computers were also found in the embassies of countries including India, South Korea, Romania, Thailand, Germany and Pakistan.
The analysts believe the system was focused on monitoring the computers of governments in Asia.
They added that the attacks could be considered "industrial espionage", as the hackers showed an interest in the activities of lawmakers and major companies. According to the researchers, the networks were able to gain access to the computer through malware, or malicious software.
The malware allowed hackers to take control of computers in order to send and receive classified information.
In a separate report, the New York Times noted that the operation is the largest to have been uncovered in terms of the number of countries that are affected,
Researchers reveal a 'cyber spy' network
Researchers have revealed that an electronic spy network has managed to infiltrate government computers from around the world.The researchers said the network is mainly based in China, and that 1,295 computers had been infiltrated in 103 countries. The computers included those belonging to foreign ministries and embassies, as well as those linked with Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
The Canadian researchers noted that there is no firm evidence that shows that China's government is behind the network, and government officials in Beijing denied involvement according to the BBC.
The report follows a 10-month investigation conducted by the Information Welfare Monitor (IWM), and is entitled Tracking GhostNet: Investigating a Cyber Espionage Network. The information in the report comes from Canadian firms SecDev Group and the Munk Centre for International Studies.
The group notes that they acted on a request from the Dalai Lama's office, who wanted to know if their computers were being monitored.
The researchers then found that the ministries of foreign affairs of Iran, Bangladesh, Latvia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Barbados and Bhutan all appeared to have been targeted by the same network. In addition, hacked computers were also found in the embassies of countries including India, South Korea, Romania, Thailand, Germany and Pakistan.
The analysts believe the system was focused on monitoring the computers of governments in Asia.
They added that the attacks could be considered "industrial espionage", as the hackers showed an interest in the activities of lawmakers and major companies. According to the researchers, the networks were able to gain access to the computer through malware, or malicious software.
The malware allowed hackers to take control of computers in order to send and receive classified information.
In a separate report, the New York Times noted that the operation is the largest to have been uncovered in terms of the number of countries that are affected,
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