Categories: World

Russian hackers targeted NASA and FAA as part of SolarWinds attack

<div id="cke_pastebin">
In a wide-spread cyber-attack on US federal agencies and enterprises, hackers also broke into the networks of NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), <em>The Washington Post </em>has reported, saying the Biden administration is reportedly preparing sanctions against Russia as the cybercriminals are "likely Russian in origin".</div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
 </div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
Nine federal agencies and about 100 private sector companies were compromised as a result of the SolarWinds hack, the White House said last week.</div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
 </div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
NASA and the FAA were named ahead of a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing tasked with investigating the widespread cyberattack.</div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
 </div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
A spokesperson for NASA did not dispute the report but declined to comment citing an "ongoing investigation."</div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
 </div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
A spokesperson for the FAA did not respond to a request for comment.</div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
 </div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
The other federal agencies that were attacked include the Departments of Commerce, Energy, Homeland Security, Justice and State, the Treasury and the National Institutes of Health.</div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
 </div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
The cyber-attacks were discovered last year after FireEye reported its own network was breached.</div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
 </div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
Although the hack was "likely of Russian origin," the hackers launched their attack from inside the US, Anne Neuberger, Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology, said in a briefing.</div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
 </div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
To carry out the attack, hackers installed a malware in the Orion software sold by the IT management company SolarWinds.</div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
 </div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
"As you know, roughly 18,000 entities downloaded the malicious update. So the scale of potential access far exceeded the number of known compromises," Neuberger said, adding that many of the private sector compromises are technology companies, including networks of companies whose products could be used to launch additional intrusions.</div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
 </div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
"The hackers launched the hack from inside the United States, which further made it difficult for the US government to observe their activity," she added.</div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
 </div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
The top cybersecurity official informed that the intelligence community is looking at who is responsible.</div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
 </div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
Earlier media reports suggested that the hackers compromised at least 250 federal agencies and top enterprises in the US.</div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
 </div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
According to Microsoft, the hackers compromised 'SolarWinds' software allowing them to "impersonate any of the organisation's existing users and accounts, including highly privileged accounts."</div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
 </div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
Microsoft said it had discovered its systems were infiltrated "beyond just the presence of malicious 'SolarWinds' code."</div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
 </div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
It may take several months for the US government to complete the investigation into the SolarWinds hack.</div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
 </div>
<div id="cke_pastebin">
<em>(IANS) </em></div>

India Narrative

Recent Posts

Slovakia ‘fully’ backs India’s bid to become new permanent member of UNSC

Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini on Wednesday (local time) announced the country's full support for India's…

38 minutes ago

India, Russia agree on six new strategic projects to boost bilateral investment cooperation

India and Russia have agreed on six new strategic projects aimed at enhancing bilateral investment…

49 minutes ago

“Positive development”: Foreign Affairs expert on extradition of Tahawwur Rana

Foreign Affairs Expert Robinder Sachdev on Tuesday termed the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused…

56 minutes ago

“It’s about bad actors”: US Treasury Secy on tariffs hike on China, says India ‘front’ in trade negotiations

US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent on Wednesday (local time) addressed the immediate increase…

1 hour ago

China retaliates, increases tariff on US goods to 84 per cent

In a retaliatory move, China on Wednesday announced it will increase its tariff on US…

15 hours ago

President Murmu, Slovakian counterpart Pellegrini agree to work towards strengthening bilateral ties

President Droupadi Murmu held a meeting with her Slovakian counterpart Peter Pellegrini in Bratislava on…

16 hours ago