Largest Cyber-Espionage Network Unveiled

Largest Cyber-Espionage Network Unveiled

Researchers based at the Munk Center for International Studies at the University of Toronto claim they have uncovered a massive network operated by cyber-spooks.  The network, also known as Ghost Net, is ran in China and has already breached 1,295 computers across 103 countries.


Ghost Net is known to be used in spying on foreign affairs offices, embassies, international organizations, news media, and non-government organizations.  It was first discovered when the researchers were requested by the Dalai Lama to check his computer network at his office.  It appeared to be infested with malware, used to monitor communications.  The data stolen from the network were transmitted back to the Ghost Net.



The Dalai Lama initially suspected his computer system was breached prompting him to have it examined.  The researchers discovered traces of network espionage to foreign offices of Iran, Bangladesh, South Korea, Portugal, Germany, and Pakistan.  Computer systems of such offices were infiltrated with ghost RAT, a trojan spread via email.



Although the evidences implicate China, the researchers believe that Ghost Net could be controlled by any other nations.