U.S. linked to worldwide spread of spyware

The U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) has devised a way of hiding spyware deep within hard drives made by top manufacturers, giving the agency the means to eavesdrop on the majority of the world’s computers, researchers in Russia have revealed

U.S. links: Researchers say spying software operated by “Equation Group” is closely linked to Stuxnet – NSA-led virus that attacked Iranian nuclear facility in 2010

Technological breakthrough Spies figured out how to lodge malicious software in firmware code that launches every time a computer is turned on

Infection rate High Medium Low

Surveillance tools hidden deep inside hard drives made by companies such as Toshiba, Western Digital, Seagate and IBM

MOST INFECTED COUNTRIES

Iran

Russia

Pakistan

Afghanistan

India

China

Syria

Mali

Infected sectors

Finance

Government

Embassies

Research

Energy

University

Military

Aerospace

Telecoms

Medical

Media

Other

Source: Kaspersky Labs

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