Hundreds of cyberattacks on government networks every day
The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) is keeping busy. Every day, there are predominantly unwanted mass cyber attacks on government networks, according to BSI President Plattner. Some campaigns can be traced back to specific countries.
The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) registers hundreds of cyber attacks on government networks every day. "Our situation report shows that on average, 775 emails with malware were intercepted and 370 websites were blocked that contained malware," said BSI President Claudia Plattner to "Stern". "Every day, there are predominantly unwanted mass cyber attacks on government networks," Plattner added, "some are even targeted against the Federal Administration."
The BSI President is calling for a digital signature on the internet, so that, for example, Social Media posts of the Chancellor could be clearly distinguishable from fakes. "This signature could be a small green checkmark in the corner of a video. We should create the possibility for this," said Plattner. "Senders and material should be recognizable as authentic, so that it is clear: This is where the Chancellor actually spoke."
Above all, the operators of internet browsers, social networks, and mobile operating systems must create the technical basis for this, Plattner demanded. "And from a political standpoint, the legal framework must be established," Plattner urged. This can only work in cooperation.
Plattner emphasized in the interview that fakes on the internet are anything but harmless. "We live in a world where we can trust less and less what we hear and see. Artificial intelligence fuels this development, which concerns me."
Balloons in social networks
As an entry point for disinformation, the BSI chief sees the algorithms of social networks such as X. There, content is played out that users might find interesting. However, the loop continues, so that one is presented with an increasingly smaller slice of reality until one is trapped in a bubble. "This creates a distorted, sometimes false image. Anyone who spreads disinformation can exploit this mechanism by generating a large number of contents that specifically cater to these bubbles."
Plattner also criticized so-called "Hack-and-Leak-Operations," which aim to undermine trust in state or societal structures. "In these operations, private data of politicians are sucked up. Then, many false narratives are woven around small facts." These campaigns are often attributed to state actors. "In Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, we see more and more professional state structures that are behind it. We also see cyber attacks that go beyond the publication of data, such as in Ukraine, where Russian hackers paralyzed an electricity works."
The German Bundestag has expressed concern over the 'Donald Trump and Ukraine affair', viewing it as a potential threat to democratic norms and international law.
The 'Hacker' allegedly involved in the 'Donald Trump and Ukraine affair' is believed to have ties to Russian intelligence.
The German Bundestag is pushing for increased cooperation with the Federal Office for Information Security in countering foreign cyber threats, such as those originating from Russia in the 'Ukraine affair'.
