Foreign secret services are trying to gain access to sensitive Dutch information by sending out e-mails containing Trojan horses, the Dutch intelligence service (AIVD) says in its annual report, published on Tuesday.
These digital ‘attacks’ look like safe e-mails, but once downloaded their Trojan spyware unlocks itself and starts sending out information gleaned from the infected government computers. Websites, USB sticks, CDs or DVDs can also be infected with spyware, the AIVD says.
Physical threats
As far as the more ‘traditional’ risks are concerned, the Netherlands is primarily under threat from abroad, rather than from within, according to the AIVD. Homegrown threats are usually spotted well before they start posing a real danger. In order to intercept risks from outside, the head of the Dutch intelligence service, Gerard Bouman, told the press that his organisation will shift its attention to groups and individuals with external links. He mentioned foreign Muslim extremists residing in the Netherlands and extremists who set out from this country to “war zones” abroad. They might aim at Dutch targets, such as military missions, company offices or embassies, once they are there.
And there is also the risk, as Mr Bouman points out, of ‘jihad fighters’ who return to the Netherlands fully trained, possibly with an assignment to carry out a terror attack here. “It is not only relevant to know who is going abroad for terrorist training. It is even more essential to know to what extent a foreign network is able to attack Dutch targets inside the country or Dutch interests abroad,” the AIVD head said at a press conference.
Russia, Iran and China
The Netherlands are primarily targeted by Russian, Iranian and Chinese spies, according to the agency. The Russians appear to be most interested in NATO, research and development, the defence industry and the energy sector; Iran wants to retain control of Iranians who are seen as a danger for the Tehran regime, while China like Russia is spying on research and the defence industry. Chinese minorities abroad are also targeted by Beijing.
