23 posts and columns on cybersecurity

Hackers Press the “Schmooze” Button

in Voices on October 31, 2011 at 5:00 am PT

Chris Patten called a large investment-management firm to report that he was going through a divorce and was worried that his wife had set up an account under a false name.

Operation Shady RAT: The Biggest Hacking Attack Ever

in News on August 3, 2011 at 7:15 am PT

The biggest network intrusion ever has been carried out since 2006 against organizations in 72 countries. You get three guesses who the attacker is thought to be, but you probably only need one. Need a hint? It wasn’t LulzSec.
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U.K. Police Say This Is the Face of LulzSec Hacker Known as Topiary

in News on August 1, 2011 at 5:59 am PT

The 18-year-old resident of the Shetland Islands has been granted bail and is scheduled to appear in a U.K. court on Aug. 30.
jake-davis-topiary

The Cop on the Cyber Beat

in Enterprise on June 27, 2011 at 12:00 am PT

Companies are hiring chief information-security officers and spending ever-increasing sums to protect their communications networks and databases from attack. Bruce McConnell, a senior cybersecurity official with the Department of Homeland Security, sat down with The Wall Street Journal’s John Bussey to discuss what role the government should play in this effort and why he’s especially concerned about the theft of intellectual property.

Prolific Spam Network Is Unplugged

in News on March 17, 2011 at 1:54 pm PT

Activity from Rustock, one of the world’s most prolific spam email networks, has ground to a halt, apparently thanks to a coordinated effort by Internet service providers and software vendors. The take-down, which took place Wednesday morning Eastern time, happened without fanfare, and surprised many in the tight-knit community of cybersecurity consultants and experts.

White House Advisor: Use of Term Cyberwar "Terrible"

in News on February 16, 2011 at 12:00 am PT

White House cybersecurity coordinator Howard Schmidt said that policymakers and others should stop “conflating… cyberwar with cyber-espionage with cybercrime.”

Oil Firms Hit by Hackers From China, Report Says

in News on February 10, 2011 at 5:30 am PT

Hackers who appear to be based in China have conducted a “coordinated, covert and targeted” campaign of cyber espionage against major Western energy firms, according to a report expected to be issued today by cybersecurity firm McAfee Inc.

Exclusive: Apple Taps Former Navy Information Warrior for Global Director of Security

in Enterprise on January 22, 2011 at 12:30 pm PT

David Rice is also the author of “Geekonomics,” a 2007 book that argues that software is infrastructure, and that when it’s badly made or insecure, society suffers. And now, he’s reportedly due to start at Apple in March.

Dude, Where's My Czar?

in News on August 4, 2009 at 5:01 am PT

Add Melissa Hathaway to the list of cybersecurity experts who don’t want the job of White House cybersecurity czar. Hathaway, a former Bush administration official who led President Obama’s recent 60-day review of the federal government’s cybersecurity efforts, was thought to be a leading contender for the position. But according to The Wall Street Journal, she asked not to be considered for that post about two weeks ago, citing personal reasons. And now she’s resigned her current post as well.
push_to_exit-300x213

Dude, Where’s My Czar?

in News on August 4, 2009 at 5:01 am PT

Add Melissa Hathaway to the list of cybersecurity experts who don’t want the job of White House cybersecurity czar. Hathaway, a former Bush administration official who led President Obama’s recent 60-day review of the federal government’s cybersecurity efforts, was thought to be a leading contender for the position. But according to The Wall Street Journal, she asked not to be considered for that post about two weeks ago, citing personal reasons. And now she’s resigned her current post as well.
push_to_exit-300x213

AT&T Talks Cybersecurity With Congress

in News, March 20, 2009 at 12:35 pm PT