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KIM'S CYBER-STRIKES: NORTH KOREA'S NEW MENACE
NY Post ^ | July 9, 2009 | Peter Brookes

Posted on 07/09/2009 2:26:48 AM PDT by Scanian

LOOKS like we may have a new upstart in the shadowy world of cyber-warfare: North Korea.

Yes, that's right, fingers are pointing at North Korea as the perp in a spate of cyber-strikes against both South Korean and American government targets, beginning around July 4.

The more than 25 targets in the cyber-crosshairs reportedly included the White House, Pentagon, State Department and US Treasury. Similar targets were struck in South Korea.

It may seem unbelievable that Pyongyang could be behind these attacks; most such sallies originate in China or Russia these days.

But more than 100 nations are involved in offensive/defensive cyber ops today, some having significant punch, including computer-network attack and government/industrial espionage.

Indeed, it makes perfect sense for Pyongyang to take the plunge.

First and foremost, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il reportedly has an eager interest in information technology.

And it's cheap and easy. A laptop, access to the Internet and a reasonably good programmer are all you need to generate enough spam to crash a network in a basic denial-of-service attack, which the recent assaults appear to be.

Analysts think North Korea has developed a small unit of perhaps 1,000 cyber-soldiers involved in offensive computer operations as a way of being a continuing pest to its sworn enemies, America and South Korea. While cyber-warfare isn't a nuclear or missile test, it's a way to ruffle feathers.

Plus, it could also be useful in wartime. For instance, shutting off the lights in an electrical-grid attack or switching off a nation's air-traffic-control system would certainly distract a commander-in-chief.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: nkorea; northkorea

1 posted on 07/09/2009 2:26:48 AM PDT by Scanian
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To: Scanian

Like Iran, our presidents refuse to stand up to the North Koreans even though they counterfeit our currency, sell drugs, kill their own people and intimidate their neighbors.
And now this and still our wienerless obammy will sit and do nothing.


2 posted on 07/09/2009 2:43:01 AM PDT by Joe Boucher (Patrick)
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To: Joe Boucher

This is the essence of appeasement. America will suffer as a result. Many will be shocked. Obama will be completely responsible for the situation.


3 posted on 07/09/2009 4:05:10 AM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (A nation obsessing on a dead serial child molester-at a time when it faces nuke war-has "issues")
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To: Scanian

The Norks are rattling their sabres again! They just gave us a test.....a TASTE of the future.


4 posted on 07/09/2009 4:08:10 AM PDT by 2harddrive (then)
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To: Scanian

European Banks have a doctrine off asymmetrical response that works well.

When a Russian hacker team threatens to cause them to lose billions unless paid millions, the banks just tell “local representatives” inside Russia to make the problem go away, and give them a budget of a hundred thousand.

The results, while extremely messy, and often involving many innocent casualties, families and so on, are effective.

I think there’s a lesson here. Bombs may not be appropriate, but targetting foreign assets would be.


5 posted on 07/09/2009 4:14:08 AM PDT by Zoe Brain (Rocket Scientist, Naval Combat System Architect)
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To: AmericanInTokyo

Come on AmericanInTokyo,
You should know Bush is still responsible for anything gone bad or going bad.
Obammy is not in the least. Just ask any media person.


6 posted on 07/09/2009 4:25:49 AM PDT by Joe Boucher (Patrick)
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To: Joe Boucher
Two men can both be completely responsible for the same screw up!

And we can throw in the whole State Department for good measure. What a bunch of short-sighted losers...gonna get us allll screwed up.

7 posted on 07/09/2009 4:45:24 AM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (A nation obsessing on a dead serial child molester-at a time when it faces nuke war-has "issues")
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To: Scanian

He keeps poking his finger in our eye and what do we do? Let him keep bullying us. Yeah that’s a good idea. :/


8 posted on 07/09/2009 5:27:07 AM PDT by EmilyGeiger
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