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Hackers Secretly Want Bill To Become Law, Claims Starforce
Apr 18, 2012 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) --
The attacks on two major US telecoms trade associations by cyber security hackers may be elaborate attempts to hoodwink the American government into rushing through draconian legislation which opponents say is aimed at censoring internet activity and content.
On the face of it, distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks on TechAmerica and US Telecom were carried out because both organisations support a controversial new bill which proposes to give the government more power to protect its infrastructures against cyber attacks.
However, information security expert Dmitry Guseff from StarForce Technologies claims the real reason is that the hackers actually want the bill to become law. He believes hackers like Anonymous the group claiming responsibility for the latest attacks feel that heavy-handed, ponderous state intervention will play right into the hands of cyber criminals.
Earlier this year StarForce Technologies (www.star-force.com), an international market leader in software protection and information security, wrote to the United States Congress warning against introducing cumbersome legislation to counter the risks to national and international security.
Guseff, deputy marketing director at StarForce, urged Greg Walden, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology sub-committee, to consider using private sector expertise. The Russian company has never received a response.
Speaking after the attack on the two trade associations apparently for their support of the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) Guseff said: Im convinced things are not what they appear to be on the surface. The attacks are calculated measures by the hackers and are purely to further their own intentions in the future.
They have probably taken the view that if this bill becomes law it will tie the hands of private security vendors who really could make life more difficult for hackers and those intent on breaching security.
The controversial bill, sponsored by leaders in the House Intelligence Committee, would allow businesses and government agencies to share more information with each other to counter cyber attacks. Opponents and civil libertarians are against the proposal because they say it undermines privacy laws and creates a backdoor for increased government surveillance.
US Telecom president Walter McCormick said the attack on his organisations website is proof of the urgent need for legislation. His counterpart at TechAmerica, Shawn Osborne, said the hackers strong-arm tactics emphasised the need for CISPA which will defend against cyber attacks and keep the internet free and open.
The American government is expected to vote on the cyber security proposal on Monday 23 April.
StarForce is still urging US congressmen to reconsider using private expertise as an alternative to state intervention. We feel that its probably too early to introduce cyber security legislation which could even make things worse, said Dmitry Guseff.
Our advice all along has been to resist the temptation to rush in legislation that could create an excessively burdensome regulatory framework to protect digital systems against cyber attacks.
Effective information security is about efficiency and speed of reaction to specific threats. State interference in the private sector could be harmful and creating extra barriers could damage commercial activity and significantly reduce the speed of response.
Once the act is confirmed it will give hackers more opportunities to plan and execute further and probably more serious attacks in the future. State involvement usually means mandatory certification of security measures which will be slow, cumbersome and expensive.
Im sure the hackers have taken all this into consideration which is why I believe they will not be at all unhappy to see the new legislation brought in.
To read more about StarForce Technologies attempts to communicate with and offer help to the US Congress, follow this link: http://www.cyberwarzone.com/cyberwarfare/us-given-%E2%80%98hands-off%E2%80%99-warning-russian-cyber-security-experts.
About StarForce Technologies
The StarForce company has expertise in software development and digital content protection from copying, hacking and unauthorised use. For more than 10 years StarForce has successfully developed and implemented its state-of-the-art software solutions, providing copyright and intellectual property protection worldwide.
Top quality products and excellent customer service distinguish a great company from a mediocre one in todays world. StarForce not only develops and sells software products but also positions itself as a reliable and responsible partner of all individuals and enterprises potentially incurring losses due to software piracy, unauthorised data access and information leaks.
For further information and press contacts: Skype: starforce_ Email: pr@star-force.com
((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com.
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