[LINK] Aussie Cyber Warfare

[Frank O'Connor]

> On 28 Jan 2015, at 10:07 pm, Stephen Loosley <stephenloosley at zoho.com> wrote:
> 
> Quoting: http://www.afr.com/p/technology/australia_launches_cyber_weapons_hR1B30qv3c6bYKJvquVzoO
> 
> 
> Australian Cyber Offensive
> 
> Australia is no passive participant in cyber conflicts. 
> 
> Multiple intelligence sources have told The Australian Financial Review that for more than a decade we have been building an offensive "computer network attack" (CNA) capability inside the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), which openly advertises for hackers who are "passionate about breaking and securing computer systems" with "knowledge of offensive and defensive techniques to protect Australia's interests".
> 
> http://www.asd.gov.au/publications/Cyber_Ops_Careers_Brochure_for_Industry.pdf
> 
> Sources say ASD has launched cyber-attacks on terrorists in the Middle East that were conspiring against Australia. 
> 
> ASD's small team of CNA specialists, which are a fraction of the people working in its "computer network exploitation" area (which steals foreign intelligence), develop their own malware and borrow payloads from the larger CNA resources residing inside America's NSA and Britain's GCHQ.

Suffice it to say, I think the level of expertise in the old DSD (now the ASD) on things IT is not something to worry about compared to the US, China and the serious powerhouses. I had some run-ins with these guys during my working life and they were FAR from impressive technically.

> 
> Australia has also allegedly harnessed its offensive cyber skills to hit back against a non-democratic state that was pilfering our public and private secrets, intelligence sources say.

Seeking, yet again, an increase their annual Budget, no doubt. I love these 'anonymous' sources.

> 
> This involved implanting malware on foreign servers that erased data and disabled the cooling systems such that they were ultimately "fried". (end quote)
> 

> 
> [Then follows AFR rant regarding necessity for support of mandatory data retention policies. Eg quote, "Many of those who rail against metadata retention are the same "anarcho-libertarians" who dismiss the tsunami of evidence that the internet is being hijacked by individuals and state and non-state entities that want to undermine our way of life."]

Mmmm ... it pretty much doesn't matter what the political leaning, the Australian press is UNIFORMLY hostile to the Internet and its developments, and seems to support any controls imposed on it. News, Fairfax, Stokes, ACP .... whatever. They all unconsciously view the Internet as a threat to their livelihoods (which it is, I suppose ... if you're planning on a long and prosperous journalistic career in the current conventional media outlets) and therefore something that should be stymied and controlled at all costs.

The sad thing is that even papers like the Guardian and The Age do it ... and seem unaware of their bias.

Not that their bias, or opinions, or wishes will mean anything in the long run. The media business will change, adapt or fade away.

Just my 2 cents worth ...