Uh-oh. Hackers have published the coding they used to launch a gigantic attack against the Web site of an Internet security journalist. The malware (malicious software) uses the “Internet of Things” — Web-connected cameras, thermostats, and other devices, which are often poorly protected — to send overwhelming traffic to the targeted Web site, causing it to slow down or become entirely unavailable. The attack was so huge that the massive Akamai network stopped hosting the security site (which it had previously hosted as a public service), fearing future attacks would overwhelm even it. The security site was picked up by Google, which has the power to repel such massive attacks — for now.
Experts say the release of this coding may lead to many more attacks on Web sites. It also seems to have prompted manufacturers to start tightening security on “Internet of Things” (IoT) devices: The hacker who released the code said the number of devices it can control through one system has dropped by more than 20% recently.
The vulnerability of the Internet to hacking by malicious countries (Russia has been attacking all over the place lately, including targets related to the U.S. Presidential election), criminal enterprises, or even a single individual should set off alarm bells. We are reaching a critical juncture where the future of our connected world is looking increasingly fragile. Governments and private enterprise need to greatly step up the resources they put into online security, and that includes makers of stuff that connects to the Internet.
At our office, some of the items connected to the Internet are our electric power (including our solar panels), our computers of course, our system for listening to music and accessing radio (except our emergency hand-cranked radio). Beyond that, the utility power grid, the city's water and sewer system, and probably all communications systems are potentially vulnerable. You may be even more connected — does your refrigerator use the Internet to report energy usage or compile your shopping list?
Here in California, we all are advised to keep earthquake supplies on hand, including enough food and water to last at least several days. Former "Nightline" host Ted Koppell warns, in a book published almost a year ago, that we should all be prepared to do without the electric grid for months, not just days or weeks.
In the meantime, I recommend we all contact our elected officials and ask what they are doing about our increasing vulnerability to cyberattacks, without compromising our privacy. After all, if laws are passed requiring that security and encryption systems contain “back-door keys” the government can use in criminal investigations, for example, you can bet hackers will be stealing and using those keys, while terrorists and crime syndicates will just apply their own encryption that has no such keys. Such systems would decrease our security without affecting determined bad guys.
The vulnerability of the Internet to hacking by malicious countries (Russia has been attacking all over the place lately, including targets related to the U.S. Presidential election), criminal enterprises, or even a single individual should set off alarm bells. We are reaching a critical juncture where the future of our connected world is looking increasingly fragile. Governments and private enterprise need to greatly step up the resources they put into online security, and that includes makers of stuff that connects to the Internet.
At our office, some of the items connected to the Internet are our electric power (including our solar panels), our computers of course, our system for listening to music and accessing radio (except our emergency hand-cranked radio). Beyond that, the utility power grid, the city's water and sewer system, and probably all communications systems are potentially vulnerable. You may be even more connected — does your refrigerator use the Internet to report energy usage or compile your shopping list?
Here in California, we all are advised to keep earthquake supplies on hand, including enough food and water to last at least several days. Former "Nightline" host Ted Koppell warns, in a book published almost a year ago, that we should all be prepared to do without the electric grid for months, not just days or weeks.
In the meantime, I recommend we all contact our elected officials and ask what they are doing about our increasing vulnerability to cyberattacks, without compromising our privacy. After all, if laws are passed requiring that security and encryption systems contain “back-door keys” the government can use in criminal investigations, for example, you can bet hackers will be stealing and using those keys, while terrorists and crime syndicates will just apply their own encryption that has no such keys. Such systems would decrease our security without affecting determined bad guys.
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