Random
Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

Biden preparing to launch series of ‘clandestine’ cyberattacks against Russia – NYT

The Biden administration is gearing up to carry out cyberattacks aimed at Russian networks, the New York Times has reported, describing the provocation as a retaliatory measure designed to send Moscow a message.
Citing officials familiar with the operation, the Times said that a “series of clandestine actions” aimed at Russia is expected to begin over the next three weeks and that the cyberattacks are intended to be “evident” to President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s intelligence services, but not to the “wider world.”

The attack will likely coincide with new economic sanctions against Moscow, as well as an executive order from President Joe Biden that would bolster security for US government networks.

In an interview last week, Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, told the Times that he supported carrying out clandestine operations that would be “understood by the Russians, but may not be visible to the broader world,” arguing that such actions would force a “broad strategic discussion” with Moscow.

The allegedly imminent cyberattack has been framed as a retaliatory measure in response to the high-profile SolarWinds breach. The hack, first reported in December, provided backdoor access to a widely used network-management program distributed by the Texas-based SolarWinds company. The hackers were able to use the exploit to compromise the systems of more than 100 commercial firms around the world, as well as nine US government agencies. Described as one of the largest and most sophisticated cyberattacks to date, it took eight months before the breach was discovered.

Washington has argued that the attack could have only been carried out with the assistance of a foreign government. US intelligence agencies have alleged that the hack was “likely Russian in origin,” but has not provided evidence for the claim. Moscow has denied any involvement in the incident, calling the accusation “yet another unsubstantiated attempt” by the US to smear Russia.

Speaking last month to CBS, Sullivan said that the US would use a “mix of tools seen and unseen” to punish Russia for allegedly carrying out the SolarWinds attack.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
No credibility.

If it was a genuine US government "clandestine" attack it would not be publicised at all, unless leaked by a traitor; and I very much doubt a newspaper like the New York Times would report genuine secrets in that way.

The business of countries attacking the Internet-based systems of others, and does happen, but you never revel your own defences, nor any retaliatory measures.

'
A couple of years or so ago the US Government wanted to extradite a British teenager for allegedly breaching the Pentagon's IT system, presumably to give him a loaded trial, imprison him for a grotesque number of years and claim, "Look how we've defended our great nation against foreign powers".

I don't recall the outcome, but I think the White House should instead have rewarded him. Obviously he had done wrong by this cyber trespassing, though we don't know his reason. However, he'd revealed that if the USA's defence HQ computers are so badly protected they can be breached by an autistic school-boy in his bedroom in NATO-country England, clearly they have no hope against the professional IT analysts employed by the anti-US Governments of Russia, China, N.Korea, Iran,....

'
I am afraid the world's governmental and public-service system, commerce and private individuals have become so dependent on a single, open set of near-universal software and public telecommunications networks, that they are all open to cyber attack. It's made life easy for the attackers.
There are a couple of problems with this.

First like many have said you don't give advanced warning for shit like this. Especially since nearly all nations now including Russia consider such actions an act of war. So something you don't do without the cover of deniability unless you are suicidal and want to end the world.

As for breaches on the US side I don't see that having been too hard or even requiring the services of a nation state since an audit by the US government a few years ago showed many systems in operation had not even had things like default factory passwords changed and laughable cyber security that would have maybe been acceptable 25 years ago.

Everything about this screams of clumsy posturing.
"Clandestine"


Broadcasts attacks before attack
MarieUK · 36-40, F
@TheBlackPowerRanger beat me too it, "I am just going to attack you but Shhhhh keep it a secret"
RedBaron · M
It's not very clandestine if news outlets know about it.

 
Post Comment