Cold War II Goes Viral

clipped from www.forbes.com Last weekend, a report by researchers at the Munk Center of the University of Toronto revealed "GhostNet," a computer espionage virus that had infected around 1,300 computers worldwide--including many "high value" targets where diplomatic and national security information was stored. The attack focused on computers in Southern Asia and offices belonging to the Dalai Lama, exiled leader of China-occupied Tibet. GhostNet-infected machines were controlled by computers located in the People's Republic. Experts disagree on whether the evidence proves China's guilt or merely suggests it overwhelmingly. Either way, the most important message goes far beyond computer espionage. The attack had real-world implications, although what's emerged so far is apt to be a small fraction of the actual damage. After the Dalai Lama's office sent an e-mail invitation to a foreign diplomat, Beijing diplomats happened to phone the same diplomat and discourage the visit.