Trying to make the generalist media understand the difference between ‘hackers’ on the one hand and common criminals, intelligence operators and military, and security experts on the other is a losing battle. Many have tried over the years but without success. The cliché of the acne-ridden 15-year-old who ‘hacks’ NASA or the Pentagon moved on to the ‘hooded sociopath’ iconised by Mr Robot. There are many variations on the theme because the phenomenon is made even more complex by a certain unscrupulousness of those operating in the market that is now called ‘cybersecurity’ by Andrea Monti – Initially published in Italian on Strategikon – an Italian Tech Blog Continue reading “Do We Need Hacker in Cybersecurity?”
The Difference Between (Ordinary) Computer Crimes and Acts of War
Obviously, the (Russian-Ukrainian) conflict is also fought by hitting technological infrastructures. It is not surprising, then, that, on the one hand, Ukraine is pushing for the ‘recruitment’ of a ‘foreign legion’ of people capable of using computers offensively. Also, it is not suprising that, on the other hand (more or less), spontaneous aggregations of groups are springing up that fight for one or the other side using information technology. Lastly, the cunning subject of actions committed by so-called ‘state-sponsored’ subjects or criminal groups comes into play. They take advantage of the institutions’ ‘accidental distractions’ —if not blind eye— and commit crimes to the detriment, as it happens, of hostile countries. In this case, it is often difficult to draw a line between a state’s inability to prosecute offenders and its interest in creating a confused and uncertain situation, of which it can indirectly take advantage by Andrea Monti – Initially published in Italian on Strategikon – an Italian Tech blog Continue reading “The Difference Between (Ordinary) Computer Crimes and Acts of War”
The artificial intelligence of the virtual prosecutor
An article published on 26 December by the South China Morning Post headlined Chinese scientists to develop AI ‘prosecutor’ that can press charges on its own. According to the article, the project, which began in 2015, has now reached the executive stage, and software can support prosecutors in deciding whether to send eight types of crime to trial, including dangerous driving, fraud and gambling. Therefore, the field of application is restricted because the crimes that can be analysed are few, and the magistrate still maintains the last word. However, there has been no lack of the usual “alarms” about the “robotic judge” and the umpteenth demonstration of how dangerous this “artificial intelligence” can be – by Andrea Monti – Initially published in Italian on Strategikon – An Italian Tech Blog Continue reading “The artificial intelligence of the virtual prosecutor”
Apple vs Pegasus: Is it fair that private companies decide the limits of security?
Apple is suing Israeli company Nso to stop its spyware. But what happens when private companies decide the limits of national security instead of entrusting this power to parliaments and civil society? by Andrea Monti – Initially published in Italian by Wired.it
Fighting ransomware is still a matter for the law
International operations against groups accused of spreading ransomware for extortion purposes are multiplying. However, the way they are carried out resembles paramilitary actions more than police investigations. Is the law still the best tool to protect critical infrastructure? An analysis by Andrea Monti, professor of Digital Law in the Digital Marketing course at the University of Chieti-Pescara – Initially published in Italia by Formiche.net Continue reading “Fighting ransomware is still a matter for the law”