hacking – The Milli Chronicle

Hackers targeted critics of Qatar World Cup, says British investigation

Millichronicle — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 18:57:35 +0000

Doha (AFP) — An India-based computer hacking gang targeted critics of the Qatar World Cup, an investigation by British journalists said on Sunday, as the Qatari government furiously denied it had played any part in commissioning the eavesdropping.

A database leaked to Britain’s Sunday Times and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism revealed the hacking of a dozen lawyers, journalists and famous people from 2019 “commissioned by one particular client”, the newspaper and the bureau said in a statement.

“This investigation points strongly to this client being the host of (the) World Cup: Qatar,” it said, prompting the Qatari authorities to describe the allegation as “patently false and without merit”.

Among those targeted was Michel Platini, the former head of European football.

Platini, who was hacked ahead of talks with French police about World Cup related graft claims, told AFP he was “surprised and deeply shocked” by the report.

He said he would be exploring all possible legal avenues over what appeared to be a serious “violation” of his privacy.

London-based consultant Ghanem Nuseibeh whose company Cornerstone produced a report on corruption relating to the World Cup was also targeted, the Sunday Times said in its report based on the joint investigation.

Others included Nathalie Goulet, a French senator and vocal critic of Qatar for allegedly financing “Islamic terrorism” and Mark Somos, a Germany-based lawyer, who had made a complaint about the Qatari royal family to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

More than 100 targeted

The controversy comes two weeks before the World Cup is due to kick off in the conservative Gulf state on November 20.

The newspaper alleged that the hacking was masterminded by a 31-year-old accountancy firm employee, who denies the claims.

Based in a suburb of the Indian tech city of Gurugram near Delhi, his network of computer hackers allegedly ensnared their targets using “phishing” techniques to gain access to their email inboxes, sometimes also deploying malicious software to take control of their computer cameras and microphones.

Hacking attacks were not limited, however, to those with an interest in the Qatar World Cup.

In total more than 100 victims had their private email accounts targeted by the gang “on behalf of investigators working for autocratic states, British lawyers and their wealthy clients”, the report said.

These included politicians dealing with issues relating to Russia such as Britain’s former finance minister Philip Hammond.

He was targeted during a period when he was dealing with the aftermath of the 2018 Novichok attack on former double agent Sergei Skripal which the UK has blamed on Russia.

The Swiss president and his deputy were also hacked days after the president met then British prime minister Boris Johnson to discuss Russian sanctions.

‘No evidence’

A Qatari official rejected the allegations, describing the Bureau of Investigative Journalism’s (TBIJ) report as “littered with glaring inconsistencies and falsehoods that undermine the credibility of their organisation”.

“The report relies on a single source who claims his ultimate client was Qatar, despite there being no evidence to prove it,” the official told AFP in a statement.

“Numerous companies have also boasted of non-existent ties to Qatar in an attempt to boost their profile in the run up to the World Cup.

“TBIJ’s decision to publish the report without a single piece of credible evidence to connect their allegations to Qatar raises serious concerns about their motives, which appear to be driven by political, rather than public interest, reasons,” the official added.

TECH: Why Cybersecurity is important for all Journalists?

Millichronicle — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 16:47:07 +0000

by Augustina Baker

They have a target on their backs—a target that could put their lives in danger…

Being a journalist has always carried a certain level of risk. After all, they are the first to leak potentially-harmful stories and expose the truth, whether the truth be good or bad for the subject of the story.

Because of the risks involved, it’s important for journalists to protect themselves. But first, what even are the risks involved?

Cybersecurity Risks Facing Journalists

In the section below, I’ll discuss three of the many cybersecurity risks journalists face every day.

1- Google’s Threat Analysis Group Findings

Let’s start with the findings of Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG), a group dedicated to finding security vulnerabilities and alerting the public about them. Earlier this year, a report from TAG revealed that journalists and news outlets have become targets of governments everywhere.

These governments hire hackers and cybercriminals in at attempt to steal the information of journalists spreading negative information. Basically, if the journalist isn’t spreading propaganda, governments paint a target on their back for hackers to find.

2- Having Sources Leaked

A journalist’s reputation is everything. Without a good reputation, they’ll be left without sources—the lifeblood of every journalist.

Without practicing proper cybersecurity, journalists not only risk their personal information but the personal information of their sources. Not only could this be incredibly damaging to their reputation, but their sources could suffer as well.

3- Putting Their Lives in Danger

Like I hinted at in the earlier paragraph, journalists put a lot on the line by just being journalists. Many people would rather see journalism become a dead industry than see success in the field since their reputation could be at stake.

Not only could these people steal their information like TAG mentioned, but a journalist’s life could be put in danger, especially if said journalist is working on a sensitive story in an area not-so-friendly towards journalists.

How Journalists Can Protect Themselves

With all of the risks involved, it’s a surprise many people seek to become journalists—heroic, but surprising. But how can these people protect themselves from the risks involved? Fortunately, it’s easier than it may seem.

1 – Using a VPN

Encryption is key to keeping yourself secure in today’s digital world. And a VPN that ensures a secure connection wherever you are is your answer to proper encryption.

Virtual private networks (VPNs) encrypt your data on a point-to-point basis, meaning any data going to or from your device will be encrypted, hidden from other people on a network.

Considering many journalists move around and may have to count on public networks, a VPN is an essential tool in their cybersecurity arsenal.

2. Minimizing Activity on Social Media

Social media allows us to stay connected and gives journalists a way to connect to sources. However, journalists would do well to minimize the amount of information they give out.

Interacting with people on social media is fine—don’t worry about that. However, don’t give out personally identifiable information. If conversations get sensitive, which they always do, make sure to take the exchange over to a trusted and encrypted messaging app.

3. Using Password Managers

Passwords guard our most sensitive information. The theft of a password means doom for whatever information that lies behind it. When I put it that way, it’s obvious as to why journalists should use password managers.

Password managers store your passwords in a secure “locker” and make sure no one can steal them. Considering that many of them are free to use, there’s no reason not to use one.

Conclusion

Journalists carry out the heroic duty of breakings news of goodwill, corruption, and whatever important world events they can get their hands on. Because of this, they have a target on their backs—a target that could put their lives in danger.

And in a world built upon the Internet, it’s important for them to put cybersecurity first. Doing anything else could spell catastrophe. Fortunately, the solutions I’ve given out today will immensely help with any cybersecurity risks a journalist may run into.

Augustina Baker is a Cyber-security expert. She writes about potential dangers in the world of Internet.