Defending the Internet: National Security v. Big Brother

Tony Bradley

In the wake of revelations that the US military network was compromised in 2008, and that US digital interests are under a relative constant threat of attack, the Pentagon is establishing new cyber security initiatives to protect the Internet. The Pentagon strategy--which is part digital NATO, part digital civil defense, and part Big Brother--may ruffle some feathers and raise concerns that the US Internet is becoming a military police state.

The mission of the United States Department of Defense is to provide military forces needed to deter war and protect the security of the nation. The scope of that mission includes emerging threats and the need to deter cyber war and protect the digital security of the nation as well. To fulfill that mission in an increasingly connected world, and with a rising threat of digital attack, the Pentagon wants to expand its sphere of influence.

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Cracks in computer defenses abound: IBM

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) – IBM on Wednesday reported that the number of discovered cracks that hackers could exploit in computer software surged in the first half of the year.

The number of new "vulnerabilities" documented by an X-Force Research and Development team at IBM increased 36 percent to 4,396 from the same period last year and more than half lacked patches to fix the flaws.

"This year's X-Force report reveals that although threats are on the rise, the industry as a whole is getting much more vigilant about reporting vulnerabilities," said IBM Security Solutions general manager Steve Robinson.

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Spies behind 2008 cyber attack, U.S. official says

(Reuters) - A foreign spy agency led a 2008 cyber attack on U.S. military computer systems, a top Pentagon official said, shedding light on what he called the most significant breach of American military cyber security.

Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn said the attack took place after an infected flash-drive was inserted into a U.S. military laptop at a base in the Middle East, uploading malicious computer code onto the Central Command network.

"That code spread undetected on both classified and unclassified systems, establishing what amounted to a digital beachhead from which data could be transferred to servers under foreign control," Lynn wrote in an article for Foreign Affairs magazine published on Wednesday.

"This previously classified incident was the most significant breach of U.S. military computers ever."

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Web scam hits iTunes and Paypal

By Maggie Shiels

iTunes accounts linked to PayPal have been targted in a scam with a number of users complaining that they have been cleaned out.

Apple and PayPal refused to discuss the details of the incident.

Experts have told the BBC there is no security hole in iTunes or Apple servers and that it is most likely users have fallen for an online scam.

"I just got hacked for $1,000 worth of software, videos and music," tweeted one victim.

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Pentagon takes aim at China cyber threat

By LOLITA C. BALDOR

WASHINGTON – The U.S. for the first time is publicly warning about the Chinese military's use of civilian computer experts in clandestine cyber attacks aimed at American companies and government agencies.

In a move that is being seen as a pointed signal to Beijing, the Pentagon laid out its concerns this week in a carefully worded report.

The People's Liberation Army, the Pentagon said, is using "information warfare units" to develop viruses to attack enemy computer systems and networks, and those units include civilian computer professionals.

The assertion shines a light on a quandary that has troubled American authorities for some time: How does the U.S. deal with cyber espionage emanating from China and almost certainly directed by the government — despite the fact that U.S. officials don't have or can't show proof of those ties?

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Intel to buy McAfee for $7.68 billion

SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK (Reuters) – Intel Corp (INTC.O) said it would buy security software maker McAfee Inc (MFE.N) for $7.7 billion to capitalize on rising demand from consumers for better protection of their laptops, smartphones and tablets.

Intel will pay $48 per share in cash for McAfee in its biggest acquisition ever. The price represents a 60 percent premium to McAfee's Wednesday closing price -- a level company executives defended as within the range of other large software and security deals.

The pact is the latest in a steady stream of technology deals, including Dell Inc's (DELL.O) $1.3 billion purchase of storage company 3PAR Inc (PAR.N) earlier this week.

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New victim in India-Pakistan 'cyberwar'

by Phil Hazlewood 

MUMBAI (AFP) – The "cyberwar" between India and Pakistan has claimed another victim, with the hacking of a high-profile lawmaker's website that experts say highlights the woeful lack of Internet security in South Asia.

A group calling itself the Pakistan Cyber Army said it hacked into the website of independent Indian MP Vijay Mallya, a flamboyant liquor baron, who is also head of Kingfisher Airlines and the Force One Formula One racing team.

"This is payback from Pak Cyber Army in return to the defacements of Pakistan sites!" the message on www.mallyainparliament.com said, according to Indian media. "You are playing with fire! This is not a game kids.

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