The devastating cyber attack on several U.S. government agencies also affected targets around the world, and as the list of victims continues to grow, fears of cyber security and espionage are on the rise, researchers say.
Microsoft claimed on Thursday that it had notified more than 40 customers affected by these malicious programs, which security experts say came from hackers linked to the Russian government that allowed attackers unrestricted access to their networks.
Seven countries
“Despite the fact that approximately 80% of these customers are based in the United States, the work has identified victims from seven other countries so far,” said Microsoft president Brad Smith on his blog.
Smith said there are also victims in Belgium, Canada, Israel, Mexico, Spain and the United Arab Emirates.
“It is certain that the number and location of the victims will continue to grow,” admitted Smith, echoing warnings already voiced by US officials about the severity of the attack.
“This is not ‘espionage as usual’, even in the digital age,” said Microsoft’s president.
“Instead, it is an act of recklessness that has left the United States and the world seriously technologically vulnerable.”
John Dickson of security firm Denim Group said several potentially vulnerable private sector companies are now struggling to tighten up their security, and are even considering rebuilding their servers and other equipment.
“Everyone is doing a damage assessment now because this is huge,” said Dickson. “It is a serious blow to confidence in both the government and the critical infrastructure.”
The threat comes from a long-term attack believed to inject malicious programs into computer networks using business management software created by Texas-based technology company SolarWinds that would bear the stamp of an attack. national.
DETAILS
Malware.
The hackers are said to have installed their malware in programs used by the Treasury and Commerce department, allowing them to view internal e-mail traffic.
Departments.
The hackers are said to have installed their malware in programs used by the Ministries of Finance and Commerce