Is China keeping an eye on India?

Reports have revealed that electronic spies based in China have hacked into computers belonging to Indian government officials and of the exiled Tibetan government. Debasis Nayak, director, Asian School of Cyber Laws discusses the issue with Chandran Iyer

Reports have revealed that electronic spies based in China have hacked into computers belonging to Indian government officials and of the exiled Tibetan government. Debasis Nayak, director, Asian School of Cyber Laws discusses the issue with Chandran Iyer

Who do you think is hacking into government computers?

Beware of malware! Debasis Nayak suggests that people should take precautions to protect their online data. Pic/ANIL NAIK

This is not the handiwork of a few individuals. A few large organisations could be involved, as this activity is highly cost-intensive and time intensive, and needs highly skilled people.

Do you think the Chinese government could be involved?
It's difficult to draw this conclusion. But looking at the scale of operations it does not appear to be a case of corporate espionage. The motive is most likely something big.

What are the kinds of e-spying operations?
E-spying operations are of two kinds. In one type, the whole government is involved whereas in the other, one company spies on another for financial reasons. This sort of corporate espionage is very common in India.

How serious is the issue of data theft in corporate houses?
It is very common in several companies. The main problem is that people do not take precautions to protect their online data in the manner in which they protect their other properties. They get into action only when something untoward happens.

Made in China?
The Tibetan government in exile, suspicious of a possible electronic breach of their computers, commissioned a team of Canadian researchers to find the source. The team found that the network was based in China and had hacked into 1,295 computers in 103 countries, including India, using malware. China, however, has refuted allegations that the government was involved in electronic spying.