The Astra case, involving the theft and sale of weapon blueprints from the French company Dael, is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. This article delves into the known details of the case, the various theories surrounding the identity of "Astra," and the potential motivations behind the secrecy.
The Dael Leaks
The leaks, which involved sensitive weapon blueprints, caused significant concern and damage to Dael. The exact nature of the stolen data and the extent of its impact remain debated, but the incident clearly had far-reaching implications for the company's reputation and security.
The Investigation
The investigation into the Dael leaks spanned several years and involved multiple international agencies.
•Initial Phase: Investigators determined that Astra was not working alone but had at least one middleman, likely a money mule, in the UK. Contact with this mule was allegedly made only over forums and burner accounts.
•The Break: Three years after the leaks began, an unknown source, possibly a former client or money mule, was apprehended. Following this, Interpol expanded its team to focus on Athens.
•The Athens Lead: Through luck or an anonymous tip, investigators in Athens discovered a suspicious middle-aged man living in an apartment under an assumed identity. This individual had a history of alleged hacking attempts in the early 2000s, with cases that never went to court.
•International Collaboration: French intelligence (DGSE) and other unspecified entities joined the investigation in Athens. After weeks of surveillance, the man was arrested in January 2008.
The Veil of Secrecy
Following the arrest, the case became shrouded in secrecy. Information was suppressed, the man's identity was not revealed, and Dael issued no significant statements. The only details released were that the man was a Greek national, around 57 or 58 years old, and a mathematician. However, the accuracy of these details is debated.
Theories Surrounding Astra's Identity
The secrecy surrounding the case has led to numerous theories about Astra's true identity and the events that transpired.
•The Professor Theory: This theory suggests that Astra was a mathematics professor from a university in Athens named Themistocles. He would have been 57 years old shortly after Astra's arrest, matching the age provided to the media. He was a member of the Royal Astrological Society of London, which connects to the alias "Astra," the Greek word for "Star". He was well-traveled, giving speeches in places where Dael's blueprints were allegedly sold. However, Themistocles did not go to prison, leading to the theory that he made a deal with authorities.
•The Insider Theory: This theory posits that there was no external hack. Instead, a Dael employee with high-level access leaked the weapon blueprints. According to some experts, Dael's digital security was lax until the late 2000s, making it easy for an insider to copy data undetected. Paul Vixie suggested the leaker may have been given temporary access to certain resources that was never revoked. If Dael knew about a leak in 2002, it would make sense for them to ensure it wasn't an insider. If the leaker was high-ranking, Dael may have fabricated the story to avoid embarrassment and a stock price drop.
•The Hacker Theory: This theory identifies Astra as connected to a Greek hacking forum known as hack.gr. One member, SDisCypher, and others hacked the Greek government in 2000. The group also hacked over 233 international businesses, Greek government departments, and the Bank of Greece. According to this theory, a member who evaded capture had also penetrated the Dael network. After SDisCypher was caught, the hacker kept a low profile before reorganizing to profit from the intrusion.
The Role of Intelligence Agencies
The heavy involvement of the French intelligence agency (DGSE) has fueled speculation about their motives.
•Recruitment: Some believe the DGSE didn't want to imprison Astra but to recruit him for their cyber warfare operations. The DGSE has a history of enlisting former cybercriminals as "repentant hackers".
•Secrecy: The extreme secrecy surrounding the case suggests the involvement of an intelligence service or government intervention. The lack of information about Astra's hacking methods indicates advanced techniques that were kept secret to prevent other governments from learning them.
Conclusion
The Astra case remains one of the most enigmatic cybercrime stories. Whether Astra was a professor, an insider, or a member of a hacking forum, the truth is still unknown. The involvement of intelligence agencies and the subsequent secrecy only deepen the mystery.
Key Takeaways:
•The Astra case involves the theft of weapon blueprints from the French company Dael.
•The investigation spanned several years and involved international agencies.
•Theories about Astra's identity include a mathematics professor, a Dael insider, and a member of a Greek hacking forum.
•The French intelligence agency (DGSE) played a significant role in the investigation.
•The case is shrouded in secrecy, leading to numerous unanswered questions.
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