Hack of a Decade: The Complexity of US cyber-attack

Photo Source: forbes.com

US government cyber experts are running against time to identify those individuals responsible in the recent sweeping cyber-attacks. The experts are also seeking to identify the information that has been gathered from various networks by the hackers.

Experts are also figuring out which federal systems have been intruded in the far-reaching cyber-espionage assault. Cyber Security and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) issued a stark warning indicating that the ‘critical infrastructure’ had been destroyed and federal agencies compromised.

Key federal agencies, with the exception of the Department of Homeland Security, were reportedly targeted in a spate of cyber-attack. The extensive wave of cyber intrusion was announced by the US government.

At least six US government Departments, which includes Commerce, Treasury, Energy, The National Nuclear Security Administration and state departments have been affected. The attackers are not yet known. However, US officials who talked to the media allegedly linked Russia to the attack.

Giant tech firms such as Microsoft have not been spared in the ongoing cyber-attacks. The attack poses a grave risk to data integrity and privacy. However, US President Donald Trump is still silent on the matter.

President-elect Joe Biden has pledged a tougher reprisal to the attackers once he is sworn in, but failed to offer any specifics. The ongoing attack is a continuation of the initial cyber assault that began on March when Orion software made by SolarWinds was stolen. Orion was designed to provide network monitoring and other practical services to a number of organizations and companies around the world.

The malware code that was snuck into the updates enabled hackers to have a remote access to organization’s networks and steal vital data. The hackers have been able to extract information from their targets thus giving them the privilege of monitoring emails and other internal communications.

At least 18,000 Orion software users downloaded updates which contained the malicious software installed by Cyber intruders. In the wake of the attack, all US federal Civilian agencies were directed to remove SolarWinds from their servers.

Comments

How Human Noise Kills Marine Species, as revealed by Scientists

Scientists have warned that the discord of noise made by humans is harming marine species . A comprehensive assessment revealed that large noise from human activities was as harmful as pollution, overfishing and climate change . The study that was conducted by the Journal Science exposed how marine animals can hear from far distances than they can see or smell. According to a report published in the Guardian, most of the marine life uses sound to catch prey as well as attracting a mating partner. Prof Carlos Duarte of King Abdullah University in Saudi Arabia argued that: “Marine animal can only sea up to around 10 meters, smell up to around a hundred meters, but they can hear across the entire ocean basins.” The research concluded that sound “is very important in the marine ecosystems, and noise is pervasive, affecting animals at all levels .” The increasing cacophony in the marine habitat is interfering with how marine animals respond to various survival...

Why Ruto will heavily rely on Mudavadi, Joho in his reelection bid

When Kenya president William Ruto was almost overwhelmed with gen z revolt, his landmark decision was to dismiss the entire cabinet. This occurred immediately after his refusal to sign the Finance Bill 2024/2025. Ruto endeavored to reconstitute a new cabinet, dubbed broad-based executive. He incorporated key opposition figures drawn from the ODM Party - a move that appeased the doyen of opposition Raila Amollo Odinga. Cabinet Secretaries drawn from ODM included: Hassan Ali Joho, Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, John Mbadi Ng'onga and James Opiyo Wandayi. ODM is as good as dead, and Raila's age factor limits him from flying the Party's presidential flag again and has opted out by contesting as Africa Union Commission (AUC) chairman. President Ruto will heavily rely on two members of his cabinet in his reelection bid. Both Musalia Mudavadi and Hassan Ali Joho are billionaires going by their own assertion while appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments. President...

Kenya’s Quest for New Chief Justice: Unraveling Maraga’s Successor

The Judicial service Commission (JSC) began the process of seeking Kenya’s new Chief Justice (CJ) and President of the Supreme Court, on Monday April 12, 2021. 13 individuals applied for the CJ position, but after a thorough scrutiny 3 were dropped. The process began after the clearance of ten candidates wishing to succeed former Chief Justice David Kenani Maraga. Among those cleared for interviews were: Justice Said Chitembwe, Prof Patricia Mbote, Justice Martha Koome, Justice David Marete Njagi, former DPP Philip Murgor, Justice Mathew Nduma Nderi, Senior Counsel Fred Ngatia, Justice William Ouko, Prof Moni Wekesa, and Alice Yano. JSC interviewing panel The interview panel was cast out of a nine-member bench drawn from JSC which includes: Prof Olive Mugenda (public representative/ JSC chairperson), Philomena Mwilu (acting Chief Justice), Agnes Amadi (Chief registrar of judiciary), Justice David Majanja (JSC commissioner), Justice Mohammed Warsame (JSC commissioner), ...

Phode News Hub

Search This Blog