malware, spying, hackers

Nowadays, the Internet is present almost everywhere. In modern societies it is impossible to imagine a life without it. It has become a basic builder for a number of technologies and is often regarded as a backbone of many industries. Today almost everything has an IP address which makes it a target for hackers. If everything is computerized and digitalized, it is hardly possible to keep it under 100% surveillance. The perfect security doesn't exist hence the hackers can 'break into' every system.


By creating a malicious software (malware) programmers are able to take over the systems and steal their data or disrupt their workings. Right in the beginning, when the Internet was still in its infancy, such programs were created for amusing purposes. They were visible for the users of a particular device and they were harmless. Mostly malware was set up for fun, usually by some bored and skilled in the area teenagers. In 2003/2004 the software orientated on a profit appeared. Designers of previous versions saw that their programs could be a money-making machinery. Hobbysts started to work with spammers and now malware started to be something dangerous. Online criminals were born and they started to use their skill as an actual weapon. Malware today is created by criminals, hactivist gangs and governments.


Yes, it's verified information that goverments can be authors of such programs too. In the short documentary, Mikko Hyppönen says about the case when UK Intelligence attacked the Belgian telecommunications provider, Belgacom. The software stayed undetected by a long period of time. The malware looked like components of a Microsoft program. Its aim was to steal the data and manipulate the computers in the company. Thanks to Snowden's revelations it is known that the malware was highly advanced spy tool. The project has even its name, "Operation Socialist". Government Communications Headquarters intelligence service (that was behind the attack) presents their goals and says that the malware was created in order to help them understand Belgacom's groundwork and allow them to work more efficiently and develop their usage. All the details are not available which leaves the operation even more shady.


Sources:1), 2)