N.S.A. Tapped into North Korean Networks Before Sony Attack, Officials Say
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Re: N.S.A. Tapped into North Korean Networks Before Sony Attack, Officials Say
#2[deleted]
Re: N.S.A. Tapped into North Korean Networks Before Sony Attack, Officials Say
#3Might be me, but I'd be surprised if they hadn't. They hacked so many countries including China[1], Mexico[1], Belgium[1], Syria[3], Iran[4], etc. (after saying that a digital attack is an act of war[2]). I don't remember each and every leak and I don't feel like looking up everything, but they seem to have targeted loads of people in various countries. I doubt North Korea (which is not even an ally) is the exception.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tailored_Access_Operations#Kno...
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberwarfare_in_the_United_Sta...
[3] http://www.theverge.com/2014/8/13/5998237/nsa-responsible-fo...
[4] Stuxnet http://rt.com/news/snowden-nsa-interview-surveillance-831/
Re: N.S.A. Tapped into North Korean Networks Before Sony Attack, Officials Say
#4If that's true, who's to say our guys didn't launch the attack from their computers? Why would they even admit to being in there? The NSA doesn't say anything unless 1) they have to, or 2) they want to. I don't see why they would make this claim.
Re: N.S.A. Tapped into North Korean Networks Before Sony Attack, Officials Say
#5We know that the NSA tapped into computer systems and the backbone of essentially every country on Earth - I don't see how NK would have somehow been excluded.
What's interesting is what information the New York Times includes that is not covered in the NSA document, presumably from unidentified officials and former officials.
The document on Der Speigel speaks primarily about taking copies of intelligence from SK hacking efforts against NK and also taking copies of intelligence from NK hacking efforts that had in turn been hacked by SK (and in turn by NSA - "fifth party collection").
The document mentions the NSAs unwillingness to rely on intelligence filtered through so many third parties and made efforts to establish its own foothold.
Essentially none of the article is backed by the document as a first source and must have come from the unnamed sources.
Re: N.S.A. Tapped into North Korean Networks Before Sony Attack, Officials Say
#6According to the article, NSA noticed the first spear-phishing attacks against Sony in September. Yet they didn't realize admin credentials had been stolen until much later. Nor did they seem to notice terabytes of data being exfiltrated out of Sony. Fishy story.
Re: N.S.A. Tapped into North Korean Networks Before Sony Attack, Officials Say
#7If that's true, who's to say our guys didn't launch the attack from their computers? Why would they even admit to being in there? The NSA doesn't say anything unless 1) they have to, or 2) they want to. I don't see why they would make this claim.
[deleted]
Re: N.S.A. Tapped into North Korean Networks Before Sony Attack, Officials Say
#8If that's true, who's to say our guys didn't launch the attack from their computers? Why would they even admit to being in there? The NSA doesn't say anything unless 1) they have to, or 2) they want to. I don't see why they would make this claim.
Certainly false flag operations are a tactic that has seen reliable and regular use, especially in counterintelligence. But what purpose exactly would a false flag operation against SONY serve? Definitely not as a pretext to take action against North Korea - the US could much more easily justify actions against NK than it has many other nations in its history.
Re: N.S.A. Tapped into North Korean Networks Before Sony Attack, Officials Say
#9If that's true, who's to say our guys didn't launch the attack from their computers? Why would they even admit to being in there? The NSA doesn't say anything unless 1) they have to, or 2) they want to. I don't see why they would make this claim.
Certainly false flag operations are a tactic that has seen reliable and regular use, especially in counterintelligence. But what purpose exactly would a false flag operation against SONY serve? Definitely not as a pretext to take action against North Korea - the US could much more easily justify actions against NK than it has many other nations in its history.
They could use North Korea "attack" to justify more local measures, you know, banning encryption, tighter regulations, more penalties... more or less what has been happening last weeks.
Re: N.S.A. Tapped into North Korean Networks Before Sony Attack, Officials Say
#10If that's true, who's to say our guys didn't launch the attack from their computers? Why would they even admit to being in there? The NSA doesn't say anything unless 1) they have to, or 2) they want to. I don't see why they would make this claim.
Certainly false flag operations are a tactic that has seen reliable and regular use, especially in counterintelligence. But what purpose exactly would a false flag operation against SONY serve? Definitely not as a pretext to take action against North Korea - the US could much more easily justify actions against NK than it has many other nations in its history.
Playing devils advocate here:
The NSA is arguably having a credibility problem at home in the US. It needs to convince the tech industry that there are enemies abroad who threaten their security, and attacks by nation states (who aren't the US) is something that is real.
North Korea is a great scape goat. They can deny it all they want, and we don't care about the diplomatic costs, because it can't get any worse. People can't demand sanctions, can't demand recall of ambassadors, the only thing anyone could demand would be going to war with them, but for the most part, we don't care. They're the crazy uncle of the world stage. So basically, the only problem would be if the NSA got caught lying about it.
However, getting caught would probably be the worst possible thing for the NSA (remember, there is likely still a leaker inside); as it would jeopardize the main benefit from doing this in the first place. So I don't think the risk versus reward pans out. That said if North Korea IS behind it, the above motivation for speaking out is still valid.