The GhostNet: cybersecurity = national security

Malware and cyber attacks are no longer the province of alienated hackers and international crime syndicates. National governments are using the same tools to spy on dissidents and rival nations. Recent research by the CitizenLab :: Version 4.0 has unmasked a far-reaching

suspected cyber espionage network of over 1,295 infected hosts in 103 countries. This finding comes at the close of a 10-month investigation of alleged Chinese cyber spying against Tibetan institutions that consisted of fieldwork, technical scouting, and laboratory analysis.

Using freely available Windows malware and some customized command and control software, the developers of GhostNet (who at the very least speak Chinese) have managed to penetrate an incredible number of sensitive governmental and political groups. Not surprisingly, China denies playing a role in 'GhostNet' cyberspy ring and of course, it is very difficult to prove the exact origin of these attacks. Listen to an interview with the researchers on the podcast Unmasking ‘GhostNet’ | WBUR and NPR - On Point with Tom Ashbrook.