The World's Most Dangerous Hacker Attacks in History
Hacking is a form of cybercrime that involves unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or data. Hackers can use various techniques to compromise the security of their targets, such as phishing, SQL injection, man-in-the-middle, or denial-of-service attacks. Some hackers are motivated by financial gain, while others are driven by political or ideological agendas.
In this blog post, we will look at some of the most dangerous hacker attacks in history, based on their impact, scale, and sophistication. These attacks have caused significant damage to governments, businesses, and individuals around the world.
# Cyberattacks on Estonia (2007)
In 2007, Estonia was hit by a massive cyberattack that paralyzed its infrastructure and economy. The attack came after the Estonian government decided to relocate a bronze statue of a Soviet soldier from the center of Tallinn to a military cemetery on the outskirts of the city. The move sparked protests and riots among the Russian-speaking minority in Estonia, as well as diplomatic tensions with Russia.
The cyberattack lasted for several weeks and targeted various websites and online services in Estonia, including government agencies, banks, media outlets, and telecommunications providers. The attackers used a botnet of compromised computers to launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks that overwhelmed the servers of their victims with fake requests. The attack disrupted online banking, e-commerce, e-government, and e-voting systems, as well as emergency services and air traffic control.
The attack was widely attributed to Russia or Russian-backed hackers, although no conclusive evidence was ever found. The attack was considered an act of hybrid warfare that combined conventional and unconventional methods to destabilize an adversary. It also highlighted the vulnerability of small and digitally advanced nations to cyberattacks.
## SolarWinds cyberattack (2020)
In 2020, a sophisticated cyberattack was discovered that compromised the networks of several US government agencies and private companies. The attack exploited a vulnerability in the software of SolarWinds, a company that provides network management and monitoring tools to thousands of customers worldwide.
The attackers inserted malicious code into a software update that SolarWinds distributed to its customers in March 2020. The code allowed the attackers to gain remote access to the networks of the customers who installed the update. The attackers then used this access to steal sensitive data, spy on communications, and install further malware.
The attack affected several US federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Department of State, the Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Justice. It also affected private companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Intel, FireEye, and Deloitte.
The attack was attributed to a group of hackers known as APT29 or Cozy Bear, which is believed to be linked to the Russian government. The attack was described as one of the most sophisticated and widespread cyber espionage campaigns ever conducted. It also exposed the risks of relying on third-party software vendors for critical infrastructure and security.
