A Cyberattack Has Caused Confirmed Physical Damage for the Second Time Ever

Amid all the noise the Sony hack generated over the holidays, a far more troubling cyber attack was largely lost in the chaos. Unless you follow security news closely, you likely missed it.

I’m referring to the revelation, in a German report released just before Christmas (.pdf), that hackers had struck an unnamed steel mill in Germany. They did so by manipulating and disrupting control systems to such a degree that a blast furnace could not be properly shut down, resulting in “massive”—though unspecified—damage.

Sony Hacker Paralysis Reaches Day Two (Updated)

Absolutely nothing electronic is safe anymore. It’s not yet clear who may be behind this attack, but it’s clear the Russians and Chinese could shut America down if they wanted — and they eventually will as it’s not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’.

 

 

2ND UPDATE: This Sony computer hacking episode isn’t over. The corporation’s computers are still down, in New York, overseas and on the Culver City lot of Sony Pictures, for the second day. IT experts are still working to figure out how the breach happened, and to stop a repeat. It is never opportune for something like this to interrupt a corporation’s hard work, but Thanksgiving week is probably not the worst time for it. Here’s the official line: “Sony Pictures Entertainment experienced a system disruption, which are working diligently to resolve.”

Has New York’s traffic light system been HACKED? Researcher claims to be able to control Manhattan traffic (and says the same technique will work around the world)

• Researcher claims to be able to control light patterns in Manhattan
• Say technique can be used in all major cities
• Uses special $4,000 router to control traffic sensors embedded in roads

A security expert claims to have uncovered a major flaw in the traffic system in in major cities around the world including London and New York.

Cesar Cerrudo, an Argentinian security researcher with IoActive, says he can control traffic lights and even reroute traffic.

Chinese hacker who once targeted the US switches sides to help defend Western companies

Or is he a double-spy under the guise of a defector who ‘got in’ and is now feeding information back to the PLA?

A leading Chinese hacker who used to attack American targets in the name of patriotism is now sharing his skills with Western multinational firms.

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Earlier, US security experts had identified a specialist hacking unit within the People’s Liberation Army honing in on their institutions.