Researchers say they have uncovered “proof” linking the authors of the Flame cyber espionage program to Stuxnet (Source: ABCNews)
The Flame Virus maybe the most powerful and complex cyber-attack ever discovered, described by one expert, as “an industrial vacuum cleaner for sensitive information.” Flame most likely a state sponsored computer virus has probably been active for as long as five years, as part of a sophisticated cyber warfare campaign, the experts said, grabbing images of users’ computer screens, recording their instant messaging chats, remotely turning on their microphones to record their audio conversations and monitoring their keystrokes and network traffic (Source: NYTimes).
Someone has been watching and listening as “Flame” spreads.
Image: Credit
Once deployed, Flame (Worm.Win32.Flame) can sniff network traffic, take screenshots, record audio conversations, intercept a keyboard, and more, Kaspersky said. All of this data is then available via Flame’s command-and-control servers. “The practice of concealment through large amounts of code is one of the specific new features in Flame.”
Iran has thus far been hardest hit by Flame, with at least 189 infections. Israel/Palestine came in second with 98, followed by Sudan (32), Syria (30), Lebanon (18), Saudi Arabia (10), and Egypt (5).
‘Flame’ computer virus: most ‘complex’ threat ever
Gostev explained in a SecureList posting:
“Currently there are three known classes of players who develop malware and spyware: hacktivists, cybercriminals and nation states. Flame is not designed to steal money from bank accounts. It is also different from rather simple hack tools and malware used by the hacktivists,” “By excluding cybercriminals and hacktivists, we come to conclusion that it most likely belongs to the third group. In addition, the geography of the targets (certain states are in the Middle East) and also the complexity of the threat leaves no doubt about it being a nation state that sponsored the research that went into it.”
A Comedy Film About an Animation Attacking a Computer
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The military is acutely aware of potential of attacks made possible through various and sundry hardware components. The civilian world is not.
I wonder how many “regular ppl’ have been compromised by use of components manufactured overseas? All because vendors want to keep their COSTS down and PROFITS high.
Lat time I found out–disease called AIDS were killing millions of Africans. Nobody seems to care for the Africans. Let them die anyway. But, I witness right on my face when this tragic disease started to hit Americans–especially the so-called Gay community. American government would wait a minute, they started to tackle the problem very quickly.
This virus designed to destroy–or hurt other countries would soon arrive at our shore. Be careful what you wish others. It would come back at you. Human beings are interwoven. We are One.
Let talk together. It works.
Thomas Freidman cleverly wrote that the “world is flat” which you and I seem to agree with his point of view, at least in this case, as Flame or copy cats will only continue. But your work http://www.easykids.org/About%20the%20Founder.html and love of life is clearly more powerful than the fear that plagues us all. We can see life as we choose, as long as we take with us our brothers and sisters into our success. Best to you sir…