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Leaked Files Show the Secret World of China's Hackers for Hire

nytimes.com

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Re: Leaked Files Show the Secret World of China's Hackers for Hire

#21

Post by hodgesrm »

mdhb wrote: post #19
djfobbz wrote: post #10

What’s to say this isn’t our own state sponsored propaganda? Source: “ The CIA and the New York Times: An unanswered question” - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/027793...

HN truly brings out some of the dumbest shit in people the moment the topic moves even slightly away from technology.

Given the long, well-documented history of US government shenanigans [0, 1, 2], I would hope for a more thoughtful response to GP's comment. You would have to be somewhat naive to dismiss such claims.

Or perhaps I misunderstood your comment ?

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93Contra_affair

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_intervention_in_...

[2] https://theintercept.com/2014/09/04/former-l-times-reporter-...

Re: Leaked Files Show the Secret World of China's Hackers for Hire

#22

Post by obmelvin »

hodgesrm wrote: post #21
mdhb wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

HN truly brings out some of the dumbest shit in people the moment the topic moves even slightly away from technology.

Given the long, well-documented history of US government shenanigans [0, 1, 2], I would hope for a more thoughtful response to GP's comment. You would have to be somewhat naive to dismiss such claims. Or perhaps I misunderstood your comment ? [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93Contra_affair [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_intervention_in_... [2] https://theintercept.com/2014/09/04/former-l…

In this particular instance, I think all evidence would suggest that "western" security companies have been extremely successful in developing exploits for iOS, Android, and plenty of other platforms. So it would make a lot of sense that China would develop additional tools and talents outside of gov orgs and gov owned companies.

Genuine question, what does the US have to gain from making up this narrative? That's not always a useful question - obviously there are instances where something is true & someone also stands to gain. But in this case, cyber is the threat. If the NSA hacks you, does it really matter if they bought the exploit instead of developing it themselves?

Re: Leaked Files Show the Secret World of China's Hackers for Hire

#23

Post by obmelvin »

djfobbz wrote: post #10

What’s to say this isn’t our own state sponsored propaganda? Source: “ The CIA and the New York Times: An unanswered question” - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/027793...

Am I just overly critical, or does the lack of anything of substance in that abstract indicate that the paper doesn't really have anything to say?

Re: Leaked Files Show the Secret World of China's Hackers for Hire

#24

Post by hsbauauvhabzb »

chankstein38 wrote: post #8
imiric wrote: post #6

Nothing surprising here. All sides are waging an information war, which has been going on for decades. It's much cheaper and cleaner than physical warfare. And if done correctly, the source of attacks can be difficult to trace.

Growing up, I always wondered why war happened in real life versus in video games. You can duke it out without actually costing lives. I guess this kind of thing tends to do both.

Pretty hard for you to win when my soldiers have infinity health and ammo, but be sure you don’t yell ‘fight me irl’ in anger!

Re: Leaked Files Show the Secret World of China's Hackers for Hire

#25

Post by wnevets »

mdhb wrote: post #19
djfobbz wrote: post #10

What’s to say this isn’t our own state sponsored propaganda? Source: “ The CIA and the New York Times: An unanswered question” - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/027793...

HN truly brings out some of the dumbest shit in people the moment the topic moves even slightly away from technology.

> the moment the topic moves even slightly away from technology.

and sometimes when the topic is strictly about technology.

Re: Leaked Files Show the Secret World of China's Hackers for Hire

#28

Post by hodgesrm »

obmelvin wrote: post #22
hodgesrm wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Given the long, well-documented history of US government shenanigans [0, 1, 2], I would hope for a more thoughtful response to GP's comment. You would have to be somewhat naive to dismiss such claims. Or perhaps I misunderstood your comment ? [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93Contra_affair [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_intervention_in_... [2] https://theintercept.com/2014/09/04/former-l…

In this particular instance, I think all evidence would suggest that "western" security companies have been extremely successful in developing exploits for iOS, Android, and plenty of other platforms. So it would make a lot of sense that China would develop additional tools and talents outside of gov orgs and gov owned companies. Genuine question, what does the US have to gain from making up this narrative? That's no…

> I think all evidence would suggest that "western" security companies have been extremely successful in developing exploits for iOS, Android, and plenty of other platforms.

Indeed. Other platforms include Stuxnet attacks Siemens software on PLCs controlling Iranian centrifuges. [0]

As to your question, while I don't see an obvious reason why the US would make this up, I can see situations where government agencies might desire that this information be released. (For example to justify funding or to send signals to China.)

Re: Leaked Files Show the Secret World of China's Hackers for Hire

#29

Post by mdhb »

hodgesrm wrote: post #21
mdhb wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

HN truly brings out some of the dumbest shit in people the moment the topic moves even slightly away from technology.

Given the long, well-documented history of US government shenanigans [0, 1, 2], I would hope for a more thoughtful response to GP's comment. You would have to be somewhat naive to dismiss such claims. Or perhaps I misunderstood your comment ? [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93Contra_affair [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_intervention_in_... [2] https://theintercept.com/2014/09/04/former-l…

You might actually be interested in this but last week the ex chief of operations for the CIA who was involved in both the Chile and Iran Contra fiascos sat down for a 3 hour chat about it amongst other topics in a fair amount of detail.

If for no other reason than to just understand how those things came to be and what the chain of command actually looks like in real life covert action programs and how things go wrong because I think you and maybe a lot of people here who don’t have any real background on these things outside of what they heard on a Joe Rogan podcast for example are missing some important pieces of the puzzle which leads to ridiculous comments like the OP made.

https://www.youtube.com/live/rCIjS6UfNuE

Re: Leaked Files Show the Secret World of China's Hackers for Hire

#30

Post by bottom999mottob »

Terr_ wrote: post #27
martinky24 wrote: post #5

Hack-a-Nation-State-as-a-Service

It pairs nicely with the inverse that also exists: Hack-a-Service-as-a-Nation-State.

All one and the same: Nation-State-in-Service's-Clothing

Ok gang let's see who this nation-state really is

Pulls off the mask

Jinkies! It's not just a service; it's a nation-state in disguise

Recursion intensifies

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