Hackers might have got hold of critical flaw in internet
Internet security researchers on Thursday warned that hackers have caught on to a 'critical' flaw that lets them control traffic on the Internet.
By Agencies |
Internet security researchers on Thursday warned that hackers have caught on to a ���critical��� flaw that lets them control traffic on the Internet. An elite squad of computer industry engineers that laboured in secret to solve the problem released a software ���patch��� two weeks ago and sought to keep details of the vulnerability hidden at least a month to give people time to protect computers from attacks.
���We are in a lot of trouble,��� said IOActive security specialist Dan Kaminsky, who stumbled upon the Domain Name System (DNS) vulnerability about six months ago and reached out to industry giants to collaborate on a solution.
���This attack is very good. This attack is being weaponized out in the field. Everyone needs to patch, please,��� Kaminsky said. ���This is a big deal.���
DNS is used by every computer that links to the Internet and works similar to a telephone system routing calls to proper numbers, in this case the online numerical addresses of websites.
The vulnerability allows ���cache poisoning��� attacks that tinker with data stored in computer memory caches that relay Internet traffic to its destination.
Attackers could use the vulnerability to route Internet users wherever the hackers wanted, no matter what website address is typed into a web browser.
���I was not intentionally seeking to cause anything that could break the Internet,��� Kaminsky said during a conference call with peers and media. ���It���s a little weird to talk about it out loud.���
Kaminsky built a webpage, www.doxpara.com, where people can find out whether their computers have the DNS vulnerability. As of Thursday, slightly more than half the computers tested at the website still needed to be patched. ���People are spending tens of thousands of hours getting this patch out the door,��� Kaminsky said.
The US Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT), a joint government-private sector security partnership, is among the chorus urging people to quickly protect computers linked to the Internet . ���Just like you should wear a seat belt going down the road to be safe in a car accident, the same applies here,��� said Jerry Dixon, a former director of cyber security at the US Department of Homeland Security.
���We are in a lot of trouble,��� said IOActive security specialist Dan Kaminsky, who stumbled upon the Domain Name System (DNS) vulnerability about six months ago and reached out to industry giants to collaborate on a solution.
���This attack is very good. This attack is being weaponized out in the field. Everyone needs to patch, please,��� Kaminsky said. ���This is a big deal.���
DNS is used by every computer that links to the Internet and works similar to a telephone system routing calls to proper numbers, in this case the online numerical addresses of websites.
The vulnerability allows ���cache poisoning��� attacks that tinker with data stored in computer memory caches that relay Internet traffic to its destination.
Attackers could use the vulnerability to route Internet users wherever the hackers wanted, no matter what website address is typed into a web browser.
ADVERTISEMENT
The threat is greatest for business computers handling online traffic or hosting websites, according to security researchers. The flaw is a boon for ���phishing ��� cons that involve leading people to imitation web pages of businesses such as bank or credit card companies to trick them into disclosing account numbers, passwords and other information. ���I was not intentionally seeking to cause anything that could break the Internet,��� Kaminsky said during a conference call with peers and media. ���It���s a little weird to talk about it out loud.���
Kaminsky built a webpage, www.doxpara.com, where people can find out whether their computers have the DNS vulnerability. As of Thursday, slightly more than half the computers tested at the website still needed to be patched. ���People are spending tens of thousands of hours getting this patch out the door,��� Kaminsky said.
The US Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT), a joint government-private sector security partnership, is among the chorus urging people to quickly protect computers linked to the Internet . ���Just like you should wear a seat belt going down the road to be safe in a car accident, the same applies here,��� said Jerry Dixon, a former director of cyber security at the US Department of Homeland Security.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
