Darknet Diaries
77: Olympic Destroyer
Oct 27, 2020
Andy Greenberg, a senior writer at Wired and author of Sandworm, dives into the startling cyber attack during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. He reveals how critical IT systems were crippled, creating chaos at the event. The discussion takes a sinister turn as Greenberg examines potential state-sponsored attackers like North Korea and Russia, showcasing the complexity of cyber warfare. He also highlights the implications of the landmark indictment of the hacking group Sandworm, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability in the realm of cybersecurity.
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Quick takeaways
- A fencer representing the Soviet Union cheated in the 1976 Olympics by rigging his sword with a button that completed an electronic circuit, leading to his disqualification and the British team winning the gold medal.
- The cyber attack on the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, known as Olympic Destroyer, was carried out by the Russian hacker group Sandworm, showcasing their sophisticated tactics and highlighting the need for greater consequences and deterrents to prevent future attacks.
Deep dives
Fencing Scoring Technology: Ensuring Fair Judging
Fencing is a fast-paced sport where judges and spectators struggle to determine who hits first. To address this issue, scoring technology has been introduced in the form of electronic components in the foil swords and protective gear. The swords have wires and pressure plates, which complete a circuit when the tip of the sword is pressed with enough force. The fencers' helmets and chest protectors are also wired to the circuit. When a fencer hits the opponent's target area with sufficient force, a point is scored. This technical scoring system helps prevent disputes and ensures fair judging in fencing competitions.
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