In an article published today (February 16, 2015) it was reported that, "the United States has found a way to permanently embed survellance and sabotage tools in computers and networks it has targeted in Iran, Russia, Pakistan, China, Afghanistan, and other countries closely watched by American intelligence agencies." Computers in the countries mentioned saw a significantly higher infection, especially those with nuclear capability.
After reading this article I had mixed reactions. I think it is awesome that we can spy on these other countries and see what they are doing by hacking their computers. I think it is awesome that the issue of national security is no longer being focused domestically, but overseas. Finally, I think this is very beneficial moving forward as more and more warfare is becoming digital. To hold the upper hand in technology and being able to see what other countries are doing or working on is a great advantage to hold. On the flip side, there are also negatives that come with this. While we aren't on great terms with a number of these countries already, once they find out that we have hacked their computers they will definitely hate us more. Moreover, if we have the capability to do this to other countries, what makes us think that they can't do this back to us? Are we naive to think that our cyber security is that much better than theirs? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, but as long as the internet exist the chance for a cyber hack is always plausible.
At the end of the day, I think this is great. People can stop complaining about their privacy being violated and finally get on board with what our government is doing to protect us. While there are sure to be people who think that what America is doing is wrong, I would have to disagree with them. I think that our country has the right and the duty to take every step necessary to protect our country. If this includes spying domestically or overseas, I'm all for it. We are foolish to think that the NSA cares about every minute aspect of our lives. They are looking for suspicious patterns and searches in order to try and prevent national disasters. I think that their surveillance of foreign countries is a great tool and a great step towards national security, even if it may put a strain on our relations with other nations. Ultimately we have to do what is best for the United States of America and if that means spying on our enemies who have publicly threatened us or hold nuclear weapons, in my opinion, go right ahead.
good point! intelligence is important and having the ability to hack into information in other countries could be helpful for us. Spying now is much different than how it used to be. It's not like those movies with guns and people in disguise, which doesn't seem as much fun. Although it's scary to think that the government could be watching our every move (here and abroad) what if other countries were also spying on us?! plot twist~ what if we were actually the dangerous country that has nuclear capacity
ReplyDelete