The Internet Ramblings of the QiRanger

The Video

Over the past week, the news feeds have been jumping all over the notion that North Korea carried out a wave of cyber related attacks against the United States and South Korea. These assertions have mainly come from South Korean investigators and have some merit, for some of the perpetrating computers did originate the attacks from within the borders of North Korea.

However, when you look at the details of the attacks, things just don’t ad up to a North Korea lead offensive. First, the state isn’t claiming responsibility. Kim Jong Il’s regime takes great pride at thumbing its nose at the west, and if they were behind these attacks, why would they suddenly change their modus operandi? Second, there’s the fact that computers from over 59 countries have been identified as receiving data from the attack. Something that a single state-lead attack would not like have as part of its plan. The final reason to suspect a North Korea lead attack, is that in these tense times, it would most likely be seen as an active act of aggression against the US and South Korea – something that would require a firm and decisive response.

I’m not sure who is responsible. Even today, reports from Vietnam security analysts are stating that the attacks may have come out of the United Kingdom. If someone in government jumps the gun and decides we need a regime change in North Korea, my fear is that it would greatly destabilize the area. Not in the sense that there would be a shift in power, but rather because North Korea is so impoverished. The humanitarian aide that would be required would be enormous. Furthermore, the drain on South Korea would strain its economy as well.