GhostNet Hacker Spies On Governments

Heard about GhostNet yet? Its very disconcerting because it targets government computers and attempts to forward emails, documents and passwords.

By most accounts (ZDNet, PC World, Forbes, InfoWorld), 103 countries have been infected with GhostNet spy virus.

It all started with the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan leader with offices in India, Brussels, London and New York, asked the researchers to examine its computers for malware.

What researchers find according to John Markoff reports for the New York Times was a government infiltrating, super-strength, spyware-virus controlled by computer based in CHINA!

GhostNet has stolen hundreds if not thousands of sensitive government documents for whom? Some say the Chinese Government.

According to Jeremy Kirk of IDG News, GhostNet primarily uses a malicious software program called gh0st RAT (Remote Access Tool) to steal sensitive documents, control Web cams and completely control infected computers.

"GhostNet represents a network of compromised computers resident in high-value political, economic and media locations spread across numerous countries worldwide," said the report, written by analysts with the Information Warfare Monitor, a research project of the SecDev Group, a think tank, and the Munk Center for International Studies at the University of Toronto. "At the time of writing, these organizations are almost certainly oblivious to the compromised situation in which they find themselves."

China is not alone in Hacker Spying
Intelligence analysts, according to John Markoff of the New York Times, say many governments, including those of China, Russia and the United States, and other parties use sophisticated computer programs to covertly gather information.

Equus Visits Computer Service Now

Equus is one of the largest white box distributors of PC equipment in the nation. Equus is privately held and based out of Minneapolis and has been going for seventeen years. They are a national system builder. Equus Computer Systems is a 100% employee owned company (ESOP). They work with desktops, notebooks, servers, storage, peripherals, components and closeouts.

They have twelve distribution centers throughout the United States and a large one in California. Everything with Equus is their own. They have a national warranty structure. Reimbursements for warranty work performed by Tech-Army.org members.

The average build time for a notebook is 48 to 72 hours and a 4-hour server response. They also have ready to ship computers that are stocked. Right now a typical specification is a Pentium D 93 box half-gb Ram, 80 gb hard drive. Equus has one of the largest partnerships with Microsoft and Intel.

The market focus of Equus is 100% dedicated to the VAR, ISV and OEM Channel partners. The hardware and services designed to maximize customer competitiveness. They also have consultative sales representatives and state-of-the-art web services.

Here is a video of the Computer Service Now visit from two Equus managers.