Hackers Hit German Police

[Feuer Frei!]

Recently German police discovered their systems had been successfully attacked by hackers. Their preliminary investigation indicated that the hackers had broken into their systems and were actively inside federal police and customs service computer systems for months. At this time, indications are that the systems came under cyber attack back in September 2010. However, the successful attack was not discovered until just recently. Inside sources have stated that Trojans were used to compromise the systems and that sensitive data was read by outside operatives. One unnamed source has been quoted as saying that they are deeply concerned that secret files on hundreds of police investigations could have been compromised and may even be published on the internet.

This discovery came at a most interesting time. In mid-June, the German interior ministry inaugurated the National Cyber Defense Centre located in the city of Bonn. This center is working to coordinate different federal institutions fighting online crime. In the past couple weeks this center came under cyber attack by the group of hackers calling themselves “n0n4m3 cr3w” (No Name Crew). Sources claim that the hackers broke into the National Cyber Defense Center’s network and were able to steal sensitive information from their servers. Comments by the No Name Crew indicate they are fighting for freedom and are actively defending themselves against what they say is wrongful treatment from the German government.

Some people might say this is truly embarrassing. Just weeks after the National Cyber Defense Center’s opening it has already fallen victim to a cyber attack. I think it is more of a sign of the times!

SOURCE

[danasan]

That seems to be the famous "Davidwache" in Hamburg.

[Skybird]

Wait - haven't politicians just told us that there is no reason to worry and that our wonderful technological miracle world is "safe" and that we should trust the state authorities?

Stories like this illustrate why I am against cloud computing, external data storage (where data then is accessible for any foeign company, and if it is an American server, the FBI legally can stick its nose into foreign companies' data), and keeping sensitive data on any internet-linked PC.

That is no paranoia at all.

I always believed that Microsoft is demanded to created artifical loopholes into its OS. Producers of AntiVir software have been demanded to create artificial loopholes as well to allow "official" trojans" entering the system.

There is no safety in the digital world. Digital safety is just an illusion.

Two days ago I read that a security company has warned of virusses that enter computer devices via the control chips in devices' accumulators.

Germany'S new system to electronically deal with employees' income tax payments and a lot ofmore private, sensitive data, has just been called off, due to security failure. Germany'S new wonder-super-mega-hyper ID card, which is chipped and was advertised to allow access into the easy and safe digital future by just doing all and every interaction with state offices and doing all payments online via authentification of that chiop, has almst collapsed. The thing costs several times as much than the old ID cards, but 99,9% of companies in Germany have waved off for lacking interest and security concerns.

The electornic toll collection system for trucks ion German Autobahnen dioes not reliably work since - since how long now? Ten years? Germany advertised it as the most modern system of its kind world-wide.

Yeah sure. Brave New World. Computers will make it all perfect for us.

And if it even were - what for would man be needed then anymore...?

I use my Visa card maybe once a year, for an online payment. Never in real life. PayPal I have cancelled several months ago (I know, the data is lose and out, but still - it gives me that feeling of moral superiority not to use them anymore ) . Money transactions I prefer to do in paperwork, or in cash, I have come to avoid online banking and banking automats. My cellphone is switched off almost always when I am on tour, it is just for calling help in case of emergencies. I rejected a gift offered to me two years ago, a GPS navigator. I preferred a latest print map and a good compass instead. Satellites won't track me down that way.

I read some time ago that now even switched-off cellphones can be located. Is that true?

[Feuer Frei!]

Originally Posted by Skybird

I read some time ago that now even switched-off cellphones can be located. Is that true?

Unless the battery has been removed, yes they can.
I heard that system a few years back doesn't use signals from towers.
The way it works is it uses satellite signals and electromagnetic radiation.

Here is a necro link, 2006 it was from, but interesting read:

http://news.cnet.com/2100-1029_3-6140191.html

[Gerald]

@Skybird! There are countermeasures against not being located, if the person is afraid of it, and there are simple methods required for that.