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Xbox Live, PlayStation Network offline in apparent hack attack

Dec. 26, 2014 - On the heels of the massive cyber-attack against Sony and the threats of an attack if they show "The Interview" in theaters, another Internet abnormality has affected video gaming networks.

Online game networks Xbox Live and Playstation Network remain down Friday after an apparent hack attack. The two services were offline much of Christmas Day in an apparent denial of service attack, USA Today reported.

A hacking group calling itself Lizard Squad claims responsibility.

Source: Fox

Prophetic Significance of CyberWar

North Korea Denies Hack Involvement, Demands Probe

Dec. 20, 2014 - North Korea responded to US accusations that it was responsible for the cyberattack and threat that caused Sony Pictures to cancel the release of its movie, "The Interview." They demanded the right to be part of a joint investigation with the U.S. into the matter.

In its first substantive response to the accusation, the isolated North Korea said it could prove it had nothing to do with the massive hacking attack.

Source: NewsMax

Evidence in Sony hack attack suggests possible involvement by Iran, China or Russia, intel source says - Fox

North Korea: 1.2 Million Troops, Nukes and a 3,000-Strong Cyber-Elite - Bloomberg

Update 12/23/14 -

North Korean Internet blackout lasts nearly 10 hours after regime threatens attacks on U.S. over ‘The Interview’ - NY Daily News

Cyber Command investment ensures hackers targeting U.S. face retribution - The Pentagon’s cyberwarfare budget has grown from $3.9 billion in 2013 to $4.7 billion in 2014 and an estimated $5.1 billion in 2015. - Washington Times

Forget the Sony hack, this could be the biggest cyber attack yet - qz

Update 12/24/14 - Sony Will Release ‘The Interview,’ but Few Theaters Sign On - Wall Street Journal

Crowds Gather as ‘The Interview’ Begins Screening in 331 Theaters - NY Times

Obama Says Sony ‘Made a Mistake’ Pulling The Interview

Dec. 19, 2014 - The FBI believes that North Korea was behind the threatened attack that led Sony Pictures to cancel the release of "The Interview," a comedy about North Korea. President Obama said that Sony's decision not to release the movie sets a bad precedent for the nation. He said that some dictator someplace should not be able to impose censorship here in the United States. He added:

“Imagine if producers and distributors and others start engaging in self-censorship because they don’t want to offend the sensibilities of someone who’s sensibilities probably need to be offended.”

Source: Time

Sony Hackers Invoke 9/11, Threaten to Attack Movie Theaters

Dec. 17, 2014 - A computer hacking organization calling itself "Guardians of Peace," has invaded the computer network of Sony Pictures. It has stolen sensitive information and released some of it to the public. Their motivation is apparently anger about the movie "The Interview," a comedy about a CIA plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Now they have threatened movie-goers with something reminiscent of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Authorities do not know whether the intended response would be another cyber event or a physical attack, but they are taking the warning seriously. Theaters have the right to cancel the movie. The New York premiere of the film has canceled the showing.

Over the summer, North Korea warned that the film's release would be an "act of war that we will never tolerate." It said the U.S. will face "merciless" retaliation.

It remains to be seen how other theaters and citizens will respond to this cyber-terrorism.

Source: NewsMax

Sony 'forced' to bow to film hackers - BBC

FBI warns US businesses of 'destructive' malware

Dec. 1, 2014 -

The FBI warned U.S. businesses that hackers have used malicious software to launch destructive attacks in the United States, following a devastating cyberattack last week at Sony Pictures Entertainment. . . The report said that the malware overrides data on hard drives of computers.

It is not known whether or not the malware was used on the cyberattack against Sony Films and the theft of five movies from the company. North Korea is suspected because there is a connection between upcoming Sony movie "The Interview," and North Korea.

Source: CNBC

China-Backed Hacking Group Axiom Said To Have Attacked 43,000 Computers

Oct. 29, 2014 - "Axiom." a highly sophisticated cyber espionage and warfare group, which the FBI says is affiliated with the Chinese government,

In targeting over 43,000 computers, the group has infiltrated Fortune 500 companies, pro-democracy groups, academic institutions, journalists, environmental groups and a range of other areas, according to researchers.

Source: International Business Times

Why the Bash Shellshock Bug Could Be Even Worse Than Heartbleed

Sept. 25, 2014 -

Shellshock is newly discovered vulnerability in software that's in computer systems we use everyday. It's kind of like Heartbleed, the Open/SSL bug . . . Shellshock could be way worse, and it's been around for decades.

Source: Gizmodo

Iranian hackers said to use Facebook to spy on Israelis

May 29, 2014 - Some 2,000 top-level Israeli politicians, diplomatic assistants and journalists have been duped during the past three years into providing secret information. There is strong evidence that the perpetrators, a group called "Newscaster," operate from Iran. The perpetrators have developed false but believable identities using social media. They claim to be journalists, defense contractors or governmental officials (not from Iran). They ask to be "friended" on Facebook, and at some point they are sent messages...

... directing them to links where they would be asked to provide personal information or enter a login and password (on the theory that most people use the same login/password for multiple sites).

The hackers were then able to load the victim’s system with spyware that could stealthily collect other passwords and sensitive information.

Source: Times of Israel

U.S. Charges Five Chinese Military Officers With Spying

May 20, 2014 - This article displays a photograph of FBI WANTED posters naming five Chinese military officers.

The charges, unsealed today in District Court in Pennsylvania, allege the Chinese officers conspired to steal trade secrets and other information from U.S. companies, including Westinghouse Electric Co. and Allegheny Technologies Inc.

The indictment has the effect of accusing China and its government of mining U.S. technology through cyber-espionage.

Source: Bloomberg