nprNPR.org, May 29, 2009 · Cyber-espionage — or an all-out attack on the nation's computer infrastructure — could help even the odds between a technology-reliant U.S. military and a savvy adversary with little more than a hacker's basic tools, computer security experts say.
China and Russia are among nations that have active programs to target U.S.-based networks — not only government systems, but also those of private contractors serving the military, says Alan Paller, the director of research for the SANS Institute, which specializes in information security and training.
"China's getting a lot of attention right now because their technique is to get in and steal everything and then have lots of people sort through it to see what's important," Paller says.
"Russia has a much more selective approach," he says. "They figure out what they want and make a surgical strike. China's method makes a lot more noise, whereas Russia's is stealthier."
The motivations for these attacks are as old as espionage itself, says Paller: getting information on a potential enemy and feeding him disinformation.
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