Russians say US has put spying tools in personal computers

The US has developed a way to embed sophisticated hacking tools within the hard drives of personal computers built by some of the worlds bigger manufacturers, according to research based in Russia.

Kaspersky Lab, a Moscow-based cyber security company, said it uncovered the spying software in computers made by companies including Toshiba, Western Digital, Seagate and IBM. The spying software when used in countries, including Russia, Iran, Pakistan, China, etc.

Some of the surveillance tools had been hidden inside the hard drives of the computers, Kaspersky said: If a US role in developing the new cyber tools is confirmed it could tarnish the reputation of US technology companies after the damaging revelations about the US leaked by Edward Snowden in 2013.

Publishing the technical details of the spyware recently, it said the spyware was developed by an entity which had been operating for 20 years. It also said they had solid links to the creators of Stinnet - the virus that attacked an Iranian nuclear facility. According to the Russians, one of the spy tools is embedded in the computer “firm Ware” code that sends messages to the rest of the computer when it is switched on - a development the Russian researchers described as an astonishing technical accomplishment.

The report said it is capable of spying on banks, governments, nuclear research facilities and Islamic activists.

Gordon Cunningham,

Carndonagh Pk.,

Donaghmede,

Dublin 13.