Comment by Riaz Haq on October 22, 2024 at 11:40am

Cyber Warfare And Emerging Technologies: Securing Pakistan’s Future – OpEd – Eurasia Review

https://www.eurasiareview.com/22102024-cyber-warfare-and-emerging-t...


As technology continues to evolve, future wars will likely be fought not by humans alone but with machines playing a central role. However, human control may still influence the operations of these machines, especially in cyber warfare.

Today, states have a variety of methods to attack each other that go beyond conventional warfare. These include cyber operations alongside military, economic, or political strategies. With emerging innovations and recent technological advancements, cyberspace has become a new domain of warfare, presenting complex threats. From a national security perspective, cyber warfare—the use of information technology to infiltrate a country’s classified databases or strike its essential systems—is one of the most menacing forms of conflict.

The frequency and intensity of cyber warfare are increasing, fueled by the advancement of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing (QC). These technologies not only amplify the number of cyber threats but also increase their sophistication. To secure its place as a dominant force in cyberspace, Pakistan must begin mastering these cyber realms today. By positioning itself as a hub of AI and QC, Pakistan can make a significant global impact.

Cyber Warfare
Cyber warfare refers to computer and network operations intended to control or disrupt vital ICT resources in a state or government, aiming to cause harm or espionage. In many countries, the dependency on technology has made cyber threats more frequent.

A historic example is the Morris Worm, the first major hacker attack that affected up to six thousand computers, causing losses ranging from one hundred thousand to millions of dollars. It targeted Unix operating systems, deleting files and slowing down operations. Another significant incident was the Stuxnet Worm, used by the United States against Iran’s nuclear program. Stuxnet not only destroyed nearly 1,000 uranium enrichment centrifuges, delaying Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but it also infected Windows computers and networks, spreading rapidly through a USB drive.

AI and Quantum Computing in Warfare
AI and QC are shaping the future of technology and warfare. AI, which processes vast amounts of data and runs algorithms to identify patterns, is highly advanced and adaptable. However, its potential use in weapon technology raises serious concerns. QC, with its unparalleled computational power, can perform calculations simultaneously by leveraging quantum mechanics.

Both AI and QC pose serious threats to national security because of their autonomous capabilities and the difficulty of preventing them from being exploited. AI systems, which can simulate human intelligence, are revolutionizing problem-solving and innovation but are also susceptible to cyberattacks. Data breaches in centralized servers, which house sensitive information, can expose AI systems to these attacks, allowing hackers to target critical infrastructure like power grids or classified databases.

In military operations, the integration of AI—especially in autonomous weapon systems—could surpass conventional forces in terms of both damage and risk. However, for a country like Pakistan, AI has the potential to strengthen cyber defenses and augment intelligence capabilities, providing a vital edge in defense strategies. Properly managed, AI could defend against emerging cyber threats while significantly improving data analysis and cybersecurity efforts.

October 22, 2024 at 11:33 AM

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Comment by Riaz Haq on January 2, 2026 at 8:15pm

Pakistan-linked hackers target Indian government, universities in new spying campaign

https://therecord.media/pakistan-linked-hacking-group-targets-india...

A Pakistan-aligned hacker group has launched a new cyber-espionage campaign targeting Indian government, academic and strategic institutions, researchers have found.

The campaign has been attributed to APT36, also known as Transparent Tribe, a long-running threat actor accused of spying on Indian government bodies, military-linked organizations and universities.

Researchers at cybersecurity firm Cyfirma said the latest operation begins with spear-phishing emails carrying a ZIP archive containing a malicious file disguised as a PDF. Once opened, the file delivers two malware components, dubbed ReadOnly and WriteOnly.

The malware is designed to quietly embed itself on victims’ systems, adjusting its behavior based on which antivirus software is installed. According to Cyfirma, it can remotely control infected machines, exfiltrate data and carry out persistent surveillance — including taking screenshots, monitoring clipboard activity and enabling remote desktop access.

Researchers said the clipboard monitoring feature could also be used to steal or overwrite copied data, potentially allowing attackers to hijack cryptocurrency transactions.

“The analysed campaign reinforces the group’s long-term surveillance objectives rather than short-term financial or disruptive goals,” the researchers said, adding that the activity aligns with state-linked intelligence-gathering priorities.

While researchers have previously characterized Transparent Tribe as less technically advanced than some rival espionage groups, they have also noted its persistence and ability to adapt tactics over time.

Cyfirma said the latest campaign showed an evolution in APT36’s technical capabilities, including the abuse of trusted Windows components, deception through common file formats and multi-stage, fileless execution techniques.

APT36 has been active since at least 2013 and has been linked to cyber-espionage campaigns targeting government and military organizations in India and Afghanistan, as well as institutions in roughly 30 countries.

The group also overlaps with another Pakistan-linked threat actor, Cosmic Leopard, which carried out a years-long espionage campaign against Indian government agencies and defence- and technology-related companies detected last year.

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