Internal site breached by hackers, no critical functions affected, said by FED

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve said on Tuesday that one of its internal websites had been briefly breached by hackers, though no critical functions of the central bank were affected by the intrusion.

The admission, which raises questions about cyber security at the Fed, follows a claim that hackers linked to the activist group Anonymous had struck the Fed on Sunday, accessing personal information of more than 4,000 U.S. bank executives, which it published on the Web.

"The Federal Reserve system is aware that information was obtained by exploiting a temporary vulnerability in a website vendor product," a Fed spokeswoman said.

"Exposure was fixed shortly after discovery and is no longer an issue. This incident did not affect critical operations of the Federal Reserve system," the spokeswoman said, adding that all individuals effected by the breach had been contacted.

Technology news site ZDNet separately reported that Anonymous appeared to have published information allegedly containing the login information, credentials, internet protocol addresses and contact information of over 4,000 U.S. bankers on Sunday night.

The claim was made via Twitter over an account registered to OpLastResort, which is linked to Anonymous, a loosely organized group of hacker activists who have claimed responsibility for scores of attacks on government and corporate sites over the past several years.

OpLastResort is a campaign that some hackers linked to Anonymous have started to protest government prosecution of computer prodigy Aaron Swartz, who took his own life Jan. 11.

The Fed declined to identify which website had been hacked. But information that it provided to bankers indicated that the site, which was not public, was a contact database for banks to use during a natural disaster.

The website's purpose is to allow bank executives to update the Fed if their operations have been flooded or otherwise damaged in a storm or other disaster. That helps the Fed to assess the overall impact of the event on the banking system.

Hackers identifying themselves as Anonymous infiltrated the U.S. Sentencing Commission website late last month to protest the government's treatment of the Swartz case.

Swartz was charged with using the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's computer networks to steal more than 4 million articles from JSTOR, an online archive and journal distribution service. He faced a maximum sentence of 31 years if convicted.

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China Offers To Help Halt Hacking Attacks

Beijing has called for a global effort to crack down on cybercrime, claiming China has nothing to do with international hacking.

12:46pm UK, Wednesday 13 March 2013

Hacking involves groups like Anonymous as well as state-sanctioned attacks

China has called for a global effort to end hacking attacks, insisting it is as much of a victim of the problem as any other country.

Speaking after a top US official warned the international community was losing patience with Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying repeated that they were also under attack.

"What is necessary in cyberspace is not war, but rather regulation and co-operation," she said.

"China wants to develop constructive dialogue and co-operation, and joint safeguarding of the peace, safety and co-operation of cyberspace together with the international community - including the United States."

China has repeatedly made such offers in the past.

Ms Hua said such co-operation had to be based "on the principle of mutual respect and trust" because it was a global problem.

She was speaking after US National Security Adviser Tom Donilon insisted Beijing must take steps to investigate and stop cybercrime.

Last month, a report from US security firm Mandiant said a People's Liberation Army (PLA) unit had stolen hundreds of terabytes of data from at least 141 organisations, mostly based in the US.

China has the world's largest army, but denies any cybercrime capability

"This is not solely a national security concern or a concern of the US government," Mr Donilon said.

US businesses were increasingly worried about theft of their secrets "through cyber intrusions emanating from China", he declared.

And a US congressional report last year named China as "the most threatening actor in cyberspace".

Beijing has flatly rejected such accusations.

Following the Mandiant report, China's Defence Ministry said US-based hackers carried out regular attacks last year on two Chinese military websites.

And ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng claimed the Chinese military has no cyberwarfare units.

 

 

 

Apple has been targeted by the hackers who attacked Facebook last month

Facebook disclosed on Friday that unknown hackers traced to China had staged a sophisticated attack and infiltrated its employees’ laptops, but no user information was compromised. Today, Apple Inc computers were attacked by the same hackers who targeted Facebook Inc, but no information seemed to have been stolen. The iPhone and iPad maker said it would release a software tool later on Tuesday to protect customers against the malicious software used in the attacks. Cyber-security attacks have been on the rise. In last week’s State of the Union address, U.S. President Barack Obama issued an executive order seeking better protection of the country’s critical infrastructure from cyber attacks.

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Australian central bank computers has been compromised by Chinese

Sydney: Computer networks at the Reserve Bank of Australia have been hacked, officials said on Monday, with some reportedly infected by Chinese-developed malaware searching for sensitive information.

The central bank revealed the attacks after investigations by The Australian Financial Review found multiple computers had been compromised by malicious software seeking intelligence.

The newspaper said in one attack a Chinese-developed malaware spy programme was searching in 2011 for information on sensitive G20 negotiations, where Beijing's exchange rate and currency reserves were on the agenda.


A Reserve Bank official confirmed the G20 virus to AFP and said it was confined to only "a few" computers. The official did not say what information was stolen or who was targeted, and would not confirm the Chinese connection.

A defence department official told AFP the "targeting of high-profile events, such as the G20, by state-sponsored adversaries, cyber-criminals and issue-motivated groups is a real and persistent threat".

"At least 65 percent of cyber intrusions on Australian computers have an economic focus," the official added.

"Cyber intruders are looking for information on Australia's business dealings, intellectual property, scientific data and the government's intentions."

In another sophisticated incident in 2011, revealed on the central bank's disclosure log under its freedom of information obligations, "targeted" emails were received regarding its strategic planning for 2012.

"Malicious email was highly targeted, utilising a possibly legitimate external account purporting to be a senior bank staff member," an official report by the bank's risk management unit said.

"As the email had no attachment, it bypassed existing security controls, allowing users to potentially access the malicious payload via the Internet browsing infrastructure."

Six users clicked on the mail, which had a legitimate email signature and a plausible subject title and content.

"Bank assets could have been potentially compromised, leading to service information loss and reputation (damage)," the official report said.

In a statement released Monday, the bank said it took cyber security and its potential consequences "extremely seriously".

"The bank has comprehensive security arrangements in place which have isolated these attacks and ensured that viruses have not been spread across the bank's network or systems," it said.

"At no point have these attacks caused the bank's data or information to be lost or its systems to be corrupted. The Bank's IT systems operate safely, securely and with a high degree of resilience."

In 2011, the computers of Australia's prime minister plus foreign and defence ministers were all suspected to have been hacked.

Reports and security experts said the attacks originated in China but Beijing dismissed the allegations as "groundless and made out of ulterior purposes".

At the time, Canberra said cyber attacks had become so frequent that government and private networks were under "continuous threat".

It said foreign intelligence agencies, criminal organisations and commercial competitors were all to blame.

Last year, Chinese telecoms giant Huawei was barred from bidding for contracts on Australia's ambitious Aus$36 billion (US$37 billion) broadband rollout due to fears of cyber attacks.

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Best apps for rooted android smartphones

The Best Rooted Android Apps

Rooted Android Apps are applications, that function only on rooted Android devices. With rooted android apps you can use your phone to its full potential.

Most Android users do not realize what their phone or tablet PC can do. However, many features are blocked to protect the user from malicious apps or from themselves.

If you root your Android phone, you can unlock all these features. Some apps can do amazing stuff, but require root access to be able to function. Rooting your phone can be risky, but it is worth it.

Why To Root Your 

Android Phone

Most Linux users will know what root access means. Some Linux applications need root access to be able to run just like some Windows applications need administrator privileges. The Android operating system does not allow root access on default. 

The point is, if you manage to get root access on your Android phone, you can do amazing stuff. Apps can access almost everything on your phone, if it's rooted. And some Apps use that to make your phone even more useful than it already is. You can completely back up your system for example. There are many apps that offer this kind of functionality, but they don't back up everything. To be able to do a complete backup, you need root access. Or you can install certain apps and block calls from specific numbers without you having to worry about the ringing.

If you want to install a newer Android version or install a custom ROM, you also need root access. A custom ROM is nothing more than a custom Android version with new features or some removed features most people don't want. One of the most popular custom ROMs is theCyanogenMod.

If you want to use your phone to do some more advanced things, you will need root access.

Best Apps for Rooted Android Smartphone in 2013

Here, I have given the top list of application which works good for Rooted Android Operating system whether its mobile or tablet. It will work fine on both, so just have a look!

Titanium Backup

Though you can take backup manually, but the best way to do so is by using apps made for this purpose. Titanium Backup is the best of in this category. You can take backup of all files including SMS, Call Logs, Important Files, WiFi passwords with single click. The best thing is that you can store the backup file into your Dropbox account within the app. 

Juice Defender

This app works on both type. This app is about extending battery backup of your device. Juice Defender tweaks the settings in your mobile such as lowering the display resolution, stopping the unwanted running apps etc. These results in increasing battery backup of your mobile, and allows you to use your rooted Android mobile without any compromise.

Root Explorer

For what purpose have you rooted your Android mobile? To be a real owner of it? But you can’t be so till you don’t have full access to complete system. This app lets you have full access. You can check the system and other files deeply, and can delete, move, copy them with  single tap. One of must have apps on rooted Android mobile in 2013.

Screenshot It

Ever thought of taking screenshots in apps/games, or while doing any task in your mobile? Do it with ease with Screenshot It. The app requires your Mobile to be rooted first, and thus, avails spot in this list of best apps for rooted Android mobiles in 2013. You can take screenshot of complete screen or any part of your choice. The screenshot is saved in .png and .jpg formats.

SetCPU

Control the processing speed of your rooted device by using this app on it. You can set the Processor’s frequency to the value that you wish to. This feature makes it one of the must have apps for rooted Android mobile in 2013. You can set any maximum and minimum value to your choice. As the app has got simple user interface, so it is damn simple to use. 

So are you going to download these apps on your rooted Android mobile? Come on, don’t be lazy. Do it straight away because it will surely enhance the usability of your system

Why Not To Root Your 

Android Phone

You will void your warranty. While it is crucial for you to understand that rooting an Android phone is completely legal, your warranty will be gone.

If you rooted your Android device, you can un-root it again and remove all traces that your device was ever rooted, but sometimes that's not possible. If anything happens and you can not turn your device on anymore, un-rooting your phone is not possible anymore.

Rooting your Android device can be a little complicated in some cases. There are apps you can download that allow you to root your phone. But those apps only work on popular phone models. As soon as you have to connect your device to your PC to root it, rooting becomes complicated.

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