Google now warning people whose Gmail has been targetted by suspected state-sponsored spies

Google believes that it can distinguish run-of-the-mill hack-attacks on Gmail accounts from state-sponsored spies trying to gain access to dissidents' email. When it detects the latter, it will display a warning for the legitimate owner to see, "We believe that state-sponsored attackers may be attempting to compromise your account or computer." The warning comes with a link to instructions for improving your password security.

You might ask how we know this activity is state-sponsored. We can’t go into the details without giving away information that would be helpful to these bad actors, but our detailed analysis—as well as victim reports—strongly suggest the involvement of states or groups that are state-sponsored.

Security warnings for suspected state-sponsored attacks (via Wired)

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

MORE: Civlib • google • privacy • surveillance

More at Boing Boing

Eurovision 2013: An American in London

The technology that links taxonomy and Star Trek

TheKaz1969

Damn. I didn’t get the warning. I guess I am too boring…
knoxblox

As the saying goes, “Just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.”
- howaboutthisdangit
  
  The paranoids ARE out to get me.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_IPOSJWIKX5OXY3M2XGNIBOR4R4 JenniferS

I wonder which “state”
- http://mordicai.livejournal.com Mordicai
  
  Right; I just want to be explicit: does that include America?
Chuck

Ah — so that’s how my desktop wallpaper got replaced with the Cobra Command insignia.
stephenl123

We do know that their censorship reports to Chilling Effect do include US and corporate censorship. I think it may be to early to know if these warnings will cover the US.
Ben Livengood

I wonder if they put that notice on your gmail if they get a National Security Letter.
eldueno

I wonder whom Google warned about our gmail being compromised. I didn’t get the warning.
Cowicide

STFU, Google… you’re blowing the cover for my honeypots.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002042736154 Ah El

The incompetence of german spooks is legendary. It would prolly be enough to look for certain IP-ranges or the use of IE6.