[LINK] and German Gov is also responding...Re: US Gov in cyber fight but can't keep up

[Marghanita da Cruz]

> The German government is responding to an increase in Internet threats with a new Cyber Defense Center in Bonn, which opens Thursday. Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich is seeking to create better safety standards and defenses for both the private and public sector. If necessary, he says he may consider new laws.
> Info
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> 
> In recent weeks, major hacker attacks have been perpetrated against the International Monetary Fund as well as United States defense giant Lockheed Martin, with the threat of important classified national information falling into the hands of criminals. 
...
> Germany Amongst 'Top 5' Locations for Botnets
> 
> In the new report, the BSI warns, among other things, about the threat of botnets. These networks are comprised of people's private computers, which have been infected with malware and can be controlled remotely -- for sending spam, for example. Germany is one of the "top five" locations for botnets, the report claims, and the threat has "increased massively."
> 
> The BSI report also warns about an increase in the number of attacks on mobile communication. It states that GSM-based phones are fundamentally vulnerable to attacks. But the report also advises that, if information that needs to be protected must be exchanged between devices, then systems with hardware encryption should be used. The report notes that malicious software programs known as Trojan horses can infect smart phones through apps and warns that many users aren't regularly updating their mobile phone operating systems -- a step that can make the devices less vulnerable to attacks, since many software updates are security related. 
...
<http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,768764,00.html>

stephen at melbpc.org.au wrote:
> Special report: Government in cyber fight but can't keep up
> 
> By Phil Stewart, Diane Bartz, Jim Wolf and Jeff Mason | Thu Jun 16, 2011
> <http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/16/us-usa-cybersecurity-
> idUSTRE75F4YG20110616?feedType=nl&feedName=ustopnewsafternoon>
> 
> 
> WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon is about to roll out an expanded 
> effort to safeguard its contractors from hackers.
> 
> It's building a virtual firing range in cyberspace to test new 
> technologies, according to officials familiar with the plans, as a recent 
> wave of cyber attacks boosts concerns about U.S. vulnerability to digital 
> warfare.


-- 
Marghanita da Cruz
http://ramin.com.au
Tel: 0414-869202