http://www.nst.com.my/z//Current_News/NST/Monday/NewsBreak/20020610182104 by Jasbir Singh jasbirat_private June 10: The Nimda virus, which attacked a 17,831 computers in Malaysia between August and October 2000, and cost RM22 million to eradicate and to carry out repairs, is one of many threats in cyberspace. Another survey by the United States Government has found that the Pentagon's systems that contain sensitive but unclassified information had been illegally accessed via networks 250,000 times and only 150 intrusions were detected. These, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, reflected on the new realities faced by Governments, businesses and communities as they moved on-line and became increasingly reliant on computer networks. He said although Malaysia has yet to experience serious security threats by terrorists via the internet, preparations have to be made to ensure the integrity of its networks. Najib said while cyber terrorism was not an imminent threat and hackers so far were disinterested in causing violence, severe economic or social harm, things could change with devastating effects in a highly networked environment. Delivering a keynote address at the Jagat Cyber Law seminar series, Najib said at present, terrorists have started using the cyberspace for traditional forms of terrorism. Websites are used to spread messages and recruit supporters and the internet is a means for communicating and coordinating their action... it would not be long before the merger between terrorist and hackers starts escalating. He said the Government was aware of such a threat and to that end, has set up the National Information Security Council at the national level and various departments at the lower levels of its organisations. The vulnerability to attacks on information could jeopardise national and economic security, which could in turn lead to financial losses and impact the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information. Najib said the threat of cyber-terrorism grew greater as more governments, businesses and communities moved into cyberspace and exposed themselves to the risk of virus and attacks by hackers. He said the risk was further intensified as the independent networks belonging to governments, businesses and communities are interlinked to enable real-time communication, information sharing and electronic transactions. Virtually any person on the net can acquire the hardware and software needed to attack systems and network infrastructure. In addition, there are many hackers on the Internet who could be the source of expertise for any nation or terrorist organisation. Therefore, he said, there was a dire need for a global consensus on the definition of cyber terrorism. Nations need to start sharing information on potential threats and weaknesses and develop processes to overcome them. The process, he said, will also require the harmonisation of laws on terrorism, effective enforcement and sharing of expertise. - ISN is currently hosted by Attrition.org To unsubscribe email majordomoat_private with 'unsubscribe isn' in the BODY of the mail.
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