The United States is concerned about cyber defense in space, The media spoke about the top-secret Israeli computer company. Telegram channel "PMC Media" talks about events in the world of cyber war.
US issues directive to protect space systems from cyber attacks
On Friday 4 September the President of the United States Donald Trump signed the fifth Space Policy Directive (SPD-5), setting forth a set of principles, designed to protect the country's valuable space resources from the growing diversity of cyber threats.
The directive guarantees, that the US government will promote the practice of protecting US space systems and critical infrastructure from computer vulnerabilities and malicious threats.
The principles set out in the directive provide for the implementation of cybersecurity measures in all stages of the development and operation of space systems.. Beyond software, these measures also include monitoring terrestrial networks for intrusion and encrypting telemetry communications between satellite and Earth.
The new directive also recognizes the large and growing role of, played by the private sector, and is focused on the development of cooperation of US government agencies with commercial space companies.
Vice President Mike Pence last year said, that the dominant position of the United States in space is contested, like never before, primarily by Russia and China. According to the former deputy chairman of the Chiefs of Staff, four-star general Paul Selva (Paul Selva), The United States is far behind both countries in the field of cybersecurity in outer space. Although neither Russia, nor China is mentioned in the directive, its signing is connected with these "threats".
Donald Trump signs SPD-5 establishing US’ first cybersecurity policy for space systems https://t.co/hW51FwqqlP
— Republic (@republic) September 5, 2020
Hackers attacked websites of state bodies and companies of Belarus
in the evening 3 September, unknown persons hacked the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic. On the page "Attention, search!"Advertisements were posted about the alleged search for the president Alexander Lukashenko and the Minister of the Interior Yuri Karaev. The ads said, that they are listed as missing and are accused of war crimes against the Belarusian people.
Following was the attack on the website of the Administrative Department of the President of Belarus. On the main page of the resource, hackers posted photos of the head of the department Victor Sheiman with the headdress of the singer Verka Serduchka star-shaped and white-red-white flag.
in the evening 6 September, the website of the STV television company also stopped working after its hosts called on the TV channel of the same name not to participate in rallies and protests.
Later that day, the website of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry was attacked.. This time, hackers left a message on the site under the heading "We are cyber partisans of Belarus", in which they called on "to join them in the struggle against the government".
After the strange videos of Dudinsky and Kohno, the STV website was attacked: What other sites have been hacked://t.co/cxs9NeLPaF
- The Village Belarus (@villagebel) September 6, 2020
India Expands List of Banned Chinese Apps
This summer, amid the conflict in Ladakh, Indian authorities announced a ban on use in the country. 59 Chinese applications. Such a move was dictated by reasons of national security - according to the authorities, these applications collected data on Indian users., which were stored on servers in China. These included social networks TikTok and Weibo., UC Browser internet browser and WeChat messenger.
The official wording was, that the use of applications on this list “promotes activities, damaging the sovereignty and integrity of India ". In early September, the Indian Ministry of Information Technology reported, that the list of applications subject to the ban will be expanded by another 118 positions. It includes such popular services as the AliPay payment system., multiplayer online game PUBG and all applications of Baidu corporation (search system, cards, video hosting, etc.). The ban applies to applications for Android, and for iOS.
At the end of June, India began to implement the slogan "Boycott China". However, Beijing is not only New Delhi's main trading partner.. He is also a major investor and owns many business assets in his neighbor's territory.. Moreover, the population of India is 1,3 billion people, making it one of the world's largest markets for more than just mobile apps, but also other consumer products like smartphones, TVs, cars, etc..
China has already expressed concern about the decision of the Indian authorities and, in its turn, will surely retaliate, with potentially serious implications for India's economy weakened by the coronavirus pandemic.
3 implications of India banning another 118 Chinese apps: my take in @orfonline
— Creates a wall against China’s digital intrusions
— Negatively impacts Chinese apps valuation globally
— Sets the global agenda against China techhttps://t.co/koCRFZTzbF- Gautam Chikermane (gchikermane) September 3, 2020
The media spoke about a top-secret Israeli company, cyber espionage
The company does not have a website, when hiring, employees are required to sign nondisclosure agreements and are not allowed to indicate their place of work on their LinkedIn profiles. This firm develops malicious software for hacking computers and mobile devices..
Over the past few years, malware development has become a big business in Israel, with an estimated size of 1 billion a year. The largest player is NSO, which, among other things, developed the Pegasus program for hacking smartphones. Two weeks ago, Israeli media found out, that NSO, through the mediation of Israeli officials, sold its spy software to the Gulf countries, where it was used to spy on the opposition.
This time, the journalists got hold of documents in a court case in the framework of a labor dispute between Candiru and its former high-ranking employee.. They explain, that the system created in the company allows "effective reconnaissance operations" in computer networks and mobile devices, steal data and control devices and programs installed on them, including social media accounts, call and messaging apps, microphone and camera of a smartphone or computer.
In court records, Candiru claims, that the service can work all over the world, except the US, Israel, Russia and China.
The materials released by the journalists became the first confirmation of that, as NSO, and Candiru have not only completed the development of spyware, for hacking mobile devices, but they also sell it to everyone, who is willing to pay. According to the claim, the company cooperates with law enforcement agencies and special services of different countries and to the beginning 2016 of the year concluded a large number of transactions with clients from Europe, countries of the former USSR, Persian Gulf, Asia and Latin America in the amount 10 million US dollars. AT 2017 year, the sales volume tripled and amounted to 30 million dollars.
Complete cellphone hacking capabilities for sale, including ‘untraceable’ mic and camera manipulation.
Revealed: How top secret Israeli cyberattack firm Candiru operateshttps://t.co/uLWiqjMAcc— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) September 3, 2020
Candiru was founded in 2015 year, and one of the founders of the NSO became its largest shareholder. The company has changed its name several times. After Candiru, she became D.F. Associates, затем — Greenwick Solutions. AT 2019 year it was called Tabatha Ltd., now known as Saito Tech, Ltd. But in the field of cybersecurity, she is still called Candiru..
Author: PMC Media
