Foreign hardware could be designed to launch cyber attacks against US companies and consumers
July 11, 2011 by Katie Gatto 
(PhysOrg.com) -- A security official at the Department of Homeland Security recently released a statement that confirmed the idea that some foreign-made computer components are actually being designed to make the job of launching a cyber attack against a U.S. company or consumer easier to do.
While no one at the Department of Homeland Security has been willing to give information about what countries or specific components are in question, or by what methods these components could have been made in order to make cyber attacks easier the department did confirm that this has happened in the past. Greg Schaffer, the Acting Deputy Undersecretary National Protection and Programs Director said, "I am aware of instances where that has happened."
This comment, which confirms that the US government is currently aware of the issue, though the admission only came after a questioning from Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a republican from Utah, during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing.
How could an attack like this happen? In one scenario a device could be tampered with prior to its distribution in order to carry, or work as a Trojan Horse, and allow other malicious software to make its way onto the hardware unfettered. Previously the FBI has been investigating a case where counterfeit versions of Cisco routers were being sold to government agencies. These attacks can be potentially devastating because it can go unnoticed for many months or years while the code silently listens for information such a billing information or trade secrets.
While many nations are involved in the supply chain of computer hardware no specific nation has been accused or mentioned as a part of this problem.
© 2010 PhysOrg.com
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Jul 11, 2011
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Jul 11, 2011
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The government is not a monolithic entity. Although the NSA etc. might be well aware of these threats, not every security-sensitive entity is necessarily up to snuff in terms of responding to these threats.
Jul 11, 2011
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Jul 11, 2011
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Defenses cannot be relied upon until they have been tested by authentic enemies who are intent on breaching them. This is a continuous Process. Defense is critical. If enemies do not exist, sometimes it is important enough to create them for the task, whether they are aware of their Role or not.
This is true in every facet of military endeavor. The most useful Enemies are the ones you create.
Jul 12, 2011
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Paranoid android, what's next? How about:
"US of A sent Hitler and Hirohito robots back from the future and so they can ensure that Manhattan Project happens."
Jul 12, 2011
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As far as the Chinese are concerned, microsoft gave them the source code for all windows in a deal to keep selling the product in China. Our DOD does not have this, and has been playing a losing battle ever since that treasonous act was committed by microsoft. Of course corporations know no country as home but for expedience, so governments should realize that fact and not grant 'corporate citizenship rights' to them nor allow classified information to any corporation, nor to any company or person with any foreign plant, office, money account or employee outside our nation. We once used microsoft windows provided viruses as a weapon of war against Iraq; now the Chinese use the same against us, and we have made it illegal to not use windows.
Jul 12, 2011
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However, it might be possible that some hardware is designed that way, but for sure, the US or another western country were first in that battle.
It is no secret that (e.g.) the US intelligence services were (are) even supporting US companies with technology or financial information and whatever they find from companies from other countries, and not just to protect the nation. - And I am sure intelligence services from other countries do the same for their companies.
But why do so many US citizens always think that everybody wants to do some harm especially to the US?
Jul 12, 2011
Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
This is treason? How so?
The article seems very nebulous to me. Looks more like a "buy american" advert.
Industrial espionage (of foes and allies alike) has long been a regular feature of US policy. What do you think all those radar dishes in US military bases pointing at (e.g. german) high tech companies are for?
Because fear is the prime government tool in the US (and has been for the past 65 years - ever since post WWII when someone realized how powerful a tool it is)
Jul 12, 2011
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Well of course. Constructive competition can only occur among equals.
Many many examples of the west giving enemies secrets, especially right after ww2.
Jul 12, 2011
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Ever buy a flash drive? Well its manufactured in china and i would be willing to bet large sums of money that the inspections upon importation are not rigorous enough to detect possible dormant data that could be designed to load onto any system the usb drive plugs into, hell even computer mice, keyboards, mics, cams, RAM, HDD's and ANYTHING ELECTRONIC!
I'd say china has us by the nutsack a long time ago.
Jul 13, 2011
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