The security company also revealed the virus Flame believes that behind it is a state, rather than a private
Tags: virus, spyware, FLAME
Sophisticated computer virus Flame, revealed yesterday afternoon (Monday) by the security firm Kaspersky, attacked computers throughout the Middle East, and beyond. The list of victims has led to Iran, with 189 computers infected, followed by Israel (including Judea, Samaria and Gaza), with 98 computers infected, Sudan with 32 computers, Syria with 30, Lebanon 18, Saudi Arabia, 10, and Egypt were taped five computers detected by Kaspersky . The security company Symantec, also published research findings on the virus, suggests that most infected computers are in the PA, Iran, Lebanon and Hungary. In addition, say the company that they have reports of infections in Austria, Russia, Hong Kong and the UAE. From all over the area reported adherence, the question is - who is behind the virus?
PCs of Iran pasted most of all, and therefore it is unlikely that she is behind the virus
Vitaly Kalmuck, a senior researcher at Kaspersky, ask some of the developers and distributors of viruses into three categories: criminal, who wants to steal money and information that can be sold; activist, develops malware goals of idealistic; and spy, who wants to steal data - but not for sale, but for intelligence organizations. Of these, the third type is the most relevant, he said, spreading the virus in question, who can gather as much information - screen shots to record the calls using the built-in microphone.
Iran is probably not
It's probably not him. Ahmadinejad
However, this is not necessarily in a purely military or intelligence; Kalmuck argues that we can not discount the possibility that the virus was developed for the intelligence organization by a private body, was purchased by the consumer country. In this context it should be noted that currently, the Flame's capabilities could not sell any "offensive", that is designed to cause damage to such active computers. This virus, the current version at least, is the "spy" only.
If only states the suspects have been reduced, are four main suspects - United States, China, Russia - and in Israel. Iran, recently threatening computer attacks against its enemies, it does not look as a possible suspect, both because it is the main victim of the Flame, and because of its cyber attack can not be considered as other advanced, and it is unlikely that she will make her first step "in the major leagues," rather venture all - so grandiose.
Reports on ability, interest, and History: Israel
Likewise (reporting), interest and speculative history. Military Intelligence chief, Gen. Aviv stars (Photo: Omar Miron)
When it comes to viruses that damage in Iran, the immediate suspect is Israel, the latter is one of the few countries that have, according to reports, the ability to develop such a sophisticated virus, and infect them interest Iranian computers. Cyber readiness studies, Israel has always placed high. Besides the reported motivation and ability, many reports indicate that Israel is behind the two previous sophisticated computer attacks that struck Iran, "Stoksnt" and pick-up ". Hence Israel has a history - albeit speculative - of offensive operations in cyberspace.
Manpower has, and has an interest in: China
Also is the prime suspect. China President Hu Jintao (Reuters)
If we are dealing with interests, attacks on China interest all over the world, and significant interests in the region rich in resources. Beijing is suspicious instantly at any major cyber attack in recent years. Since the beginning of the decade American sources report the constant attempts of Chinese enterprises break into security systems in the United States - including those that ended successfully. In this context, servers were breached last year security giant RSA, and materials were taken out cyber attacks on several major businesses such as Lockheed Martin aviation company, to steal away information. So American officials accused China of this attack. Another well-known case, which caused damage to the relationship between the Internet giant Google and the Chinese government, started when the company accused China of hacking servers attempts to obtain information on dissidents.
Against Israel, China is a superpower that can turn huge manpower analysis of information that might be a virus as a Flame. Keep in mind that the software provides operators 'trying' pasted from any computer, and the ones who have to decide whether equal "focus" which, if so, by what "upgrades" to the virus can be pumped to the information most effectively.
No longer trailing behind: Russia
Who was considered the last two decades as technology has difficulty getting to level of the West and the Far East, but in recent years demonstrates impressive cyber capabilities, is Russia. The first notable case occurred in 2007, then following a dispute between Russia and Estonia, which resulted from latest decision to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the center of the capital Tallinn outskirts of the city, was attacked in Internet infrastructure and totally disabled. For several days were critical infrastructure of Estonia paralyzed. Telephone lines, Internet lines and even TV broadcasts were disrupted.
Russia has demonstrated its capacity again in 2009, during fighting with Georgia. That case too, the Russians shut down critical infrastructure Georgiot conflict zone, and also damaged the country's Internet communication at all intermittent. Kremlin claimed that the two attacks were not spontaneous but civilian organizations, which are not associated with military or intelligence forces.
Declares the importance of the internet space: United States
The United States is a natural candidate. National Security Agency headquarters in Maryland (photo: Gettyimages)
And when it comes to computer attacks, you can not take into account the Americans. United States declares a number of years the importance of cyberspace, and runs many programs - including those classified as well as those which have stated publicly - to protect the American Internet. However, the likelihood that the U.S. is behind Flame considered low; United States, as of today at least, focuses on protecting its cyber borders, and not offensive - especially such a prominent and brutal - the other boundaries. Discovery of such involvement in the project may be "Kazos without" virtual her, and it seems that the U.S. is now waging war aims cyber activism against rivals.
