Cyber Attack Downs South Korean and U.S. Websites

Several South Korean and U.S. Internet sites were hit in a fresh wave of cyber attacks. North Korea is suspected of being behind them and more attacks are likely.

An Internet security firms says the recent wave of attacks that stopped or slowed down some South Korean and U.S. Web sites may be linked to North Korea.

Dozens of sites were targeted in the attack including the White House and South Korea’s presidential office.

The attacks are seen as inconsequential, but serve as a reminder that Pyongyang has been planning for cyber warfare.

[Kwon Tae-shin, S. Korean PM Office Chief]:
„Especially, there’s some speculation that North Korea or its followers may be engaged in this cyber terror, and the second, third cyber attacks can occur. Therefore, I think the government should establish overall cyber security measures for the national security.“

South Korea’s defense ministry Web site remained down for a third day and access to some U.S. government sites, including the State and Defense Department, from South Korea appeared to have been disabled.

The ministry says the website has been restored.

[Won Tae-jae, South Korean Defense Ministry Spokesman]:
„The Ministry of National Defense has installed defense mechanism against the current service curve attack, and is blocking the attackers‘ traffic route. Also, the Internet is operating normally now as we changed the Defense Ministry’s domain address.“

The impact of the attack is seen as largely symbolic and experts said it did not represent an actual security breach.

South Korea’s leading online security firm, Ahnlab, is among the Web sites still under attack.

[Cho Joobong, Senior Researcher, Ahnlab Security Co.]:
„Now, a list of targets that the cyber terrorists have already attacked has been updated. In this list, we can see when attacks would begin and end. We can also assume through this file that the third attack will occur.“

Cho says it’s difficult to know who is coordinating the attacks.

[Cho Joobong, Senior Researcher, Ahnlab Security Co.]:
„In fact, nobody can figure out the attacker at this moment. All the assumptions are not verified yet. These attackers are continuously updating lists and ordering followers to attack cyber space behind the scenes.”

Last month, the North warned of „high-tech war“ against the South for spreading what it said was false information about its involvement in cyber attacks.

Industrial spies or pranksters are not being ruled out as suspects.

(NTDTV)