Winter Olympics: Computer virus targeted Pyeongchang Games, say cyber security firms
As previously mentioned, the Olympics are a highly suspected target for cybersecurity threats. It did actually happen. Adsero Security would have performed penetration testing to assess any risks and from there developed a security written policy, set risk management standards, and then train various staff members. With Adsero Security on their side, they would have slept better at night. Read on to see how this nightmare occurred
PYEONGCHANG (REUTERS) – Several US cybersecurity firms said on Monday (Feb 12) that they had uncovered a computer virus dubbed “Olympic Destroyer” that was likely used in an attack on Friday’s opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Games.
Games Organisers confirmed the attack on Sunday, saying that it affected Internet and television services but did not compromise critical operations.
Organisers did not say who was behind the attack or provide a detailed discussion of the malware, though a spokesman said that all issues had been resolved as of Saturday.
Researchers with cybersecurity firms Cisco Systems Inc, CrowdStrike and FireEye Inc said in blog posts and statements to Reuters on Monday that they had analyzed computer code they believed was used in Friday’s attack.
All three security companies said the Olympic Destroyer malware was designed to knock computers offline by deleting critical system files, which would render the machines useless. The three firms said they did not know who was behind the attack.
“Disruption is the clear objective in this type of attack and it leaves us confident in thinking that the actors behind this were after the embarrassment of the Olympic committee during the opening ceremony,” Cisco said in its blog.