Canadian Cyber-Sleuths Hack Chinese Hackers

Spring 2009: a research group at University of Toronto reports their discovery of "GhostNet," a network of electronic spies, seemingly based in China, that has infiltrated more than a thousand computers around the world, including those belonging to government agencies, embassies, and even the Dalai Lama.

In addition to spiriting away files and invading targets' email servers, "GhostNet" may even be able to switch on video and audio recorders on infected computers and listen to what's going on in a room, say the Canadian researchers. So beware: Big Brother may be watching, especially if you happen to be a Tibetan activist. Read the full New York Times story here.

Tech-types can find more information about how the attacks work, their scope, and a pdf of the researchers' full report on GhostNet's cyber-espionage here at F-Secure's blog.