US Department of Defense has extended the powers of Cyber Command is, With regard to the prevention of hacker attacks on foreign computer networks, According to The New York Times.
According to the newspaper, Cyber Command is still mainly engaged in a defensive stance, thwarting the attempts of those, who was trying to break into US networks. It is only in rare cases, as directed by management, It takes the offensive, eg, on the online activities of the "Islamic state" (group banned in Russia).
But in the spring of command the Pentagon opened the door, providing an opportunity to conduct attacks, including preventive, computer network of other states, at least on a daily basis.
The newspaper reminds, that the new military strategy involves constant subversive activities in foreign networks "on the brink of war". It is also, that the activities of Cyber Command will force opponents to devote part of their resources to defense and weakening external attacks.
The newspaper notes, that among the opponents in cyberspace, the US administration considers, including Russian, China and North Korea.
In August last year, it became known, Donald Trump instructed Cyber Command to convert into an independent structure of the Armed Forces. According to the president, a new status Command, previously combined with NSA, will be better able to carry out their operations.
