Most Think Cyber Espionage Is Acceptable: Security Report

Source: Larry Bennett, eSecurity Planet.

Everyone seems to agree that malware and unprovoked hacking are universally bad, but the latest survey from security software vendor Sophos shows that most people have no problem with their government using similar techniques to infiltrate the networks of targeted private companies and other governments.

The Sophos 2010 Security Threat Report (PDF format) queried 1,077 U.S. computer users, asking them whether or not they thought spying via hacking or malware attacks is an acceptable practice if the companies or websites were deemed “legitimate” targets by their government.

Almost two-thirds of those surveyed said they think it’s acceptable for their country to spy on other nations by hacking or installing malware. Twenty-three percent said it was justifiable to do at “any time” while 40 percent said it was only OK during wartime. Only 37 percent said it was unacceptable under any circumstance.

One in 14 respondents said they believe it’s perfectly fine to launch devastating denial of service attacks (DDoS) against another country’s communications or financial websites during peacetime.