Vast spy system detected in 103 countries

Researchers based at the Munk Center for International Studies at the University of Toronto have uncovered a vast electronic spying operation that they say has infiltrated at least 1,295 computers spanning over 103 countries. What's more, many of these belonged to embassies and other government offices around the world, in what is believed to be the first time that researchers have exposed an intrusion of this magnitude

Unlike traditional "phishing" attacks in which random computer users are indiscriminately targeted in order to infiltrate as many computers as possible, the malware detected by the team in this instance reeks of "whaling," in which important targets are selectively targeted.

What was perhaps scarier were some of the capabilities built into the malware, which includes the ability to turn on any built-in camera or microphone functions of an infected computer. While the investigators were unable to ascertain whether these features have been employed, their presence together with other capabilities such as the remote retrieval of files is cause for concern.

The researchers were unable to conclusively determine the origin of the spying, though they did detail in their report "Tracking 'GhostNet': Investigating a Cyber Espionage Network" that the operation continues to "invade and monitor more than a dozen" new computers a week. Their findings are published in Information Warfare Monitor, an online publication.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at the New York Times

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