NSA hackers threaten sale of tech secrets

In the wake of the global cyber attack, a group that leaked spyware is threatening to sell code which can be used to hack into more of the world's computers.

A group that took credit for leaking NSA cyber spying tools - including ones used in the WannaCry global ransomware attack - says it plans to sell code that can be used to hack into the world's most used computers, software and phones.

Using trademark garbled English, the Shadow Brokers group said in an online statement that, from June, it will begin releasing software to anyone willing to pay for access to some of the tech world's biggest commercial secrets.

In the blog post, the group said it was setting up a "monthly data dump" and that it could offer tools to break into web browsers, network routers, phone handsets, plus newer exploits for Windows 10 and data stolen from central banks.

It said it was set to sell access to previously undisclosed vulnerabilities, known as zero-days, that could be used to attack Microsoft Corp's latest software system, Windows 10. The post did not identify other products by name.

It also threatened to dump data from banks using the SWIFT international money transfer network and from Russian, Chinese, Iranian or North Korean nuclear and missile programmes, without providing further details.

Shadow Brokers came to public attention last August when it mounted an unsuccessful attempt to auction off a set of older cyber-spying tools it said were stolen from the US National Security Agency.

The leaks, and the global WannaCry virus attack, have renewed debate over how and when intelligence agencies should disclose vulnerabilities used in cyber spying programs to so that businesses and consumers can better defend themselves against attacks.

Hacking tools believed to belong to the NSA that were leaked online last month were built into WannaCry ransomware -- also known as WannaCrypt -- that swept the globe on Friday.


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Source: AAP


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NSA hackers threaten sale of tech secrets | SBS News