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DOJ To Announce Charges Against North Koreans For Sony Hack, Wannacry Attack (go.com)

Posted by msmash on from the up-next dept.

The Justice Department is planning to announce charges Thursday against North Korean nationals who U.S. authorities have accused of being behind the massive hack of Sony in 2014 and the Wannacry ransomware attack lack year. From a report: Earlier on Thursday, President Donald Trump praised North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un on Twitter. "Kim Jong Un of North Korea proclaims 'unwavering faith in President Trump.' Thank you to Chairman Kim. We will get it done together!" Trump tweeted. The Washington Post adds: Pak Jin Hyok, who conducted hacking on behalf of North Korea's Reconnaissance General Bureau, the military intelligence agency that controls most of the country's cyber capabilities, is charged in the attack on Sony, according to U.S. officials. He is linked to the notorious Lazarus Group, which has also been implicated in the audacious attempt to use cyber techniques to steal $1 billion from the Bangladesh Bank in 2016, and to the WannaCry computer virus that affected more than 230,000 computers in 150 countries last year.

31 of 58 comments (clear)

  1. Just curious by ArhcAngel · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Will the DOJ be pressing charges against Sony for installing a rootkit on its customers machines?

    --
    "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
  2. Huh? by cascadingstylesheet · · Score: 2

    Your Trump related pull quote has nothing to do with the story.

    1. Re:Huh? by The+Relentless · · Score: 1

      If you don't reference Trump your story is not fit to post nowadays.

    2. Re:Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      He needed to find some way to dogwhistle for his usual batch of polititrolls. Except this time, the whistle is broken and everyone can hear it, not just the rabid purebreds.

    3. Re:Huh? by Nidi62 · · Score: 1

      Your Trump related pull quote has nothing to do with the story.

      I believe the argument is that, considering the total control that the DPRK government has on internet access (very few people even get intranet access, much less internet), any attack done by a North Korean actor has to be state sanctioned and therefore is direct evidence that the Kim regime is still acting against Western companies and states, despite claims to the contrary.

      --
      The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
    4. Re:Huh? by anegg · · Score: 1

      The Trump-related quote is in the ABC News article. You are right, it appears to have nothing to do with the story. But ABC News put it in there for some reason.

    5. Re:Huh? by Nidi62 · · Score: 1

      Your logic would be sound, but the Sony hack was in 2014, prior to all of the current negotiations.

      That is correct, but it demonstrates a pattern. Couple that with other patterns that we've seen come from the DPRK such as vague promises, hollow and bombastic threats (mostly meant for internal consumption than anything else), and posturing and you come to the conclusion that the current "warming" of relations between the current US administration (well, maybe just a handful of individuals in the administration) and the Kim regime is simply more of the same and not destined to last very long or produce anything tangible.

      --
      The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
    6. Re:Huh? by alvinrod · · Score: 1

      Yeah, but to be fair Trump very well could have said exactly that when asked about this specific issue. He just tends to ignore the question and say whatever it is that he wants to say.

    7. Re:Huh? by Nidi62 · · Score: 1

      Can things be different today? The country has got a new leader this time, a millennial known for playing basketball and the Playstation 1 as a teen. Other things are different from decades past.

      Well, he executed his uncle, had someone shot with an anti-aircraft cannon for falling asleep at a meeting, and his father was well known to like foreign films/tv and of course a big buyer of foreign liquor/food. So pretty much new boss, same as the old boss.

      --
      The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
  3. Re:Trump colluding with Kim? by anegg · · Score: 2

    I'm not sure why the parent post was marked down. The entire article from ABC news is cryptic, which could lead one to wonder about meaning, never mind motive:

    The Justice Department is planning to announce charges Thursday against North Korean nationals who U.S. authorities have accused of being behind the massive hack of Sony in 2014 and the Wannacry ransomware attack lack year, sources told ABC News. Earlier on Thursday, President Donald Trump praised North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un on Twitter. "Kim Jong Un of North Korea proclaims 'unwavering faith in President Trump.' Thank you to Chairman Kim. We will get it done together!" Trump tweeted.

    What is ABC trying to say with the quote from Trump embedded in the article about the DOJ pursuing charges against the North Korean nationals? Is ABC News pointing out that Trump is working with Kim Jong Un to bring the criminals to justice? Is ABC News making the point that Trump is out of step with the DOJ?

  4. Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational by Stan92057 · · Score: 1

    Why is the US justice doing this? Sony in NOT a US corporation.

    Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Knan, Minato, Tokyo.

    why the hell is the us justice system even touching this? That,s Japans job not ours. Why is the US justice system spending US taxpayer money protecting a foreign corporation?????

    --
    Jack of all trades,master of none
    1. Re:Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational by drinkypoo · · Score: 2

      Why is the US justice doing this? Sony in NOT a US corporation.
      Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Knan, Minato, Tokyo.

      Sony Corporation of America (SCA), parent corporation of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE), is based in New York, and SCE's subsidiary Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (SIE) is based in San Mateo. HTH, HAND!

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    2. Re:Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational by jd · · Score: 1

      It was an attack on a server on US soil, in violation of US law. The DoJ is supposed to take attacks on US soil seriously, it's kinda in their job description. Who was attacked is irrelevant. US law applies on US soil, whether or not the victim was American, British, Japanese or a small blue furry creature from Alpha Centauri.

      --
      It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
    3. Re:Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational by oh_my_080980980 · · Score: 1

      And those are subsidiaries of Sony Corporation which is a Japanese corporation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

      Jackass.

    4. Re:Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational by oh_my_080980980 · · Score: 1

      Were those servers on US soil? Just because a subsidiary is domiciled in the US does not mean their servers are.

      Location matters for jurisdiction purposes.

    5. Re:Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      And those are subsidiaries of Sony Corporation which is a Japanese corporation.

      You asked the question, I answered it. If you find the answer to be too complicated, perhaps Slashdot is not for you.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    6. Re:Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational by oh_my_080980980 · · Score: 1

      I didn't ask the question, Stan92057 did. Perhaps reading comprehension is too much for you.

    7. Re:Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      I didn't ask the question, Stan92057 did. Perhaps reading comprehension is too much for you.

      I'm not going to go back and see if some douchebag is the same douchebag I was replying to in the first place, if they sound just like the first douchebag. That information is not displayed when viewing a comment directly.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    8. Re:Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational by Stan92057 · · Score: 1

      IMO they were attacking Sony,They should also be going after Sony as well because at that time their security was well below industry standards. They are the reason they got hacked. But ya, we should go after whoever attacked us citizens but we should not be doing this for Sony as it sure looks like to me. What your say is if Sony decided to put all there servers on us soil WE are responsible for any one who attacks them well that's a bunch of hoowee. Anyone who get in financial trouble should have gone after SONY that's my thinking anyways cant count on my government to actually protect US but sure will protect a foreign companys interests first. Hell Wall street should have penalized N Korea too.

      --
      Jack of all trades,master of none
    9. Re:Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational by jd · · Score: 1

      Yes, the servers were in the U.S., that's been discussed to death.

      --
      It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
    10. Re:Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational by jd · · Score: 1

      Sony's security was indeed below standards. And if Congress got its act together, it would be a criminal offence for those responsible, with a revocation of the business license on the third offence.

      I have no problems with that. Criminal acts should be prosecuted and substandard security should be a criminal act. Banks aren't allowed to store your money in shoe boxes on the open street, this is no different.

      Sony's reporting was slow and dishonest. These should be two distinct criminal offenses and should be part of the three strikes. Rootkits and viruses in products that could spark retaliatory strikes should also be criminal offenses.

      Sony really would not be doing any better than the hackers, if I got to make the rules. Maybe worse.

      My prior concern is that the U.S. is a nation of laws. There are police, investigative bureaus and prosecutorial departments for a reason and that reason isn't for amusement.

      In this case, the attackers committed an indisputable offence against US criminal code and they should be pursued on those merits through proper investigation and then through the courts in a way designed to ensure justice - as opposed to revenge - is done.

      --
      It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
    11. Re:Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational by Stan92057 · · Score: 1

      I don't disagree with a word you say.

      --
      Jack of all trades,master of none
    12. Re:Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational by buravirgil · · Score: 1

      In a word: Shareholders ...America's "interests" are globally framed, beginning with Tripoli, expanded and fluidly emphasized. As far as a legal standing...another poster listing Sony's subsidiaries has basis. As far as popular appeal? It's Hollywood we're talking about!

      Yet I agree discriminating transnational corporations from domestic politics is not a difference other multinationals are incentivized to present rationally when media market shares are more important.

      I disagree with posters asserting ABC's reportage is reasonable which conflates (purposefully or not) partisan, personality politics with issues of trade and national security. An insistence the stalemate of war games is preferable to trade and diplomacy is recklessly hawkish and demonstrably FUD given cyber attacks are economic and Stuxnet disabled a nuclear payload for the "rocket man".

      --
      Would were! Should is! Could be! And live a hundred times three.
  5. Re:Trump colluding with Kim? by jd · · Score: 1

    They're suggesting that Trump hasn't bothered to listen to anything the DoJ have said (they would have briefed him over the past few days). They're implying that the DoJ's announcement will cause diplomatic headaches for Trump, as it will hurt his credibility at home and with the North Korean government.

    However, rather more importantly, they're stating that there is a relationship in time between two otherwise unconnected events.

    --
    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
  6. Re:US thinking its the policeman of the world agai by jd · · Score: 1

    What does that matter? The US has a responsibility for its citizens on any soil and for events on its soil regardless of the citizenship of those affected.

    --
    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
  7. Re:US thinking its the policeman of the world agai by oh_my_080980980 · · Score: 1

    It matters moron because these people can't be extradited. So this is theater, this is just for show. Get a fucking clue.

  8. And yet.... by oh_my_080980980 · · Score: 1

    "New evidence Sony hack was ‘inside’ job, not North Korea" https://nypost.com/2014/12/30/...

    New Research Blames Insiders, Not North Korea, for Sony Hack http://time.com/3649394/sony-h...

    Researcher: Sony Hack Was Likely an Inside Job by a Woman Named "Lena" http://gawker.com/researcher-s...



    So no boys and girls this was not North Korea. This is an attempt by the Military Industrial Complex to gin up tensions with North Korea in order to prevent detente. Because you know war is profitable but peace is not. Stocks for military contracts took a tumble when the US was negotiating with North Korea.

    1. Re:And yet.... by CanadianMacFan · · Score: 1

      Maybe Kim sent someone over to do the job because he wanted to know what was going to be in the next Grand Theft Auto?

  9. Re:Wait isn't NK a poor hermit kingdom?? by 0dugo0 · · Score: 1

    They can't even run their propaganda websites and DNS infrastructure on decent servers. This is all for show, there is no expectation NK is going to extradite anyone.

  10. Re:Wait isn't NK a poor hermit kingdom?? by PingSpike · · Score: 1

    I mean, they hacked Sony not the Pentagon. IIRC there was a large word document on the server with all the passwords involved in this breech. So the difficulty level of the hack was probably somewhere between that of breaking your neighbor's WEP secured wifi and falling off a log.

  11. Also charge Microsoft by Tough+Love · · Score: 1

    Also charge Microsoft with gross negligence.

    --
    When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.