The North Koreans really are a little bit nuts

South Korean officials have been blaming North Korea for a coordinated series of cyberattacks against government websites in Korea and here in the United States in recent days. The attacks have been “denial of service” attempts, trying to send so much traffic to the sites that their servers crash.

According to the Korean Herald, an English-language newspaper in Seoul:

“The contaminated sites included Cheong Wa Dae, the Korean Defense Ministry and Foreign Ministry, and also many U.S. sites – notably, the White House, the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Department of State.

The officials of the infected government departments claimed that because the virus serves nothing more than to ratchet up internet traffic to cause system overload, the hacking was more a nuisance than anything else.

“This particular form of virus cannot be viewed as a fatal attack on confidential information, due to both its form and target, since the websites were out in the open anyways,” said a Foreign Ministry official.”

Here in the United States, Fox News is reporting Pentagon confirmation that the attacks originated in North Korea. They did not penetrate Defense Department computers but did temporarily deny access to DoD websites.

“The powerful attacks were even broader than initially realized, also targeting the White House, the Pentagon and the New York Stock Exchange.

Other targets of the attack included the National Security Agency, Homeland Security Department, State Department, the Nasdaq stock market and The Washington Post, according to an early analysis of the malicious software used in the attacks.

Some government Web sites — such as the Treasury Department, Federal Trade Commission and Secret Service — were still reporting problems days after the attack started…

Others familiar with the U.S. outage said the fact that the government Web sites were still being affected three days after it began signaling an unusually lengthy and sophisticated attack.

It’s hard to know what to make of all that. It’s not a serious problem or threat, but it’s easy to see how it could become one. And the North Koreans sure do like to ensure that nobody’s forgotten about them

232 comments Add your comment

I Report (-: You Whine )-:

July 8th, 2009
5:12 pm

It’s called probing our defenses. They got the big Bug waiting for the hole that they find.

Total societal collapse.

But hey, Obozo will sing kum baya and everything will be great!

And we all lived happily ever after, eewwww.

md

July 8th, 2009
5:17 pm

“The North Koreans really are a little bit nuts”

Just figuring that out? “Little” is quite the understatement.

@@

July 8th, 2009
5:32 pm

Take little nuts and a cool cucumber…

what’ve you got?

An explosive package.

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
5:35 pm

“And the North Koreans sure do like to ensure that nobody’s forgotten about them.”

…and will stop at nothing to make the point…they’re a problem, but leaving them to China may not be such a good idea. China’s got its handsful with the Tibetans and the Uigurs, and that’s just for starters…

Normal

July 8th, 2009
5:40 pm

If theah’s one thang wors’n ah damyankee, it’s ah damkoreanyankee, y’all…

GreenJeans

July 8th, 2009
5:41 pm

Finally, hackers with some talent.

I’ve been saying for years that if we don’t get on the ball, we’ll lose the hacking race to the Asians.

Normal

July 8th, 2009
5:43 pm

It makes you want to whip their inner childs little you know what…

Hillbilly Deluxe

July 8th, 2009
5:43 pm

It’s called probing our defenses

A very valid point.

getalife

July 8th, 2009
5:45 pm

Their kids are having fun with the dos attacks.

Normal

July 8th, 2009
5:45 pm

@@

July 8th, 2009
5:32 pm
Take little nuts and a cool cucumber…

what’ve you got?

An explosive package.
——————–
Add a little cabbage and you have kim chee with a kick…

md

July 8th, 2009
5:46 pm

“they’re a problem, but leaving them to China may not be such a good idea.”

Ever thought that China may like the fact that they are a thorn in our side?

Its all a giant global chess game – you may or may not be “winning”.

@@

July 8th, 2009
5:50 pm

Normal

July 8th, 2009
5:50 pm

Josef, never got a chance to say hi this afternoon, but hi!

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
5:52 pm

NORMAL–I been tellin’ ya you cain’t trust hit if”n hit comes from yore norther cuzzins, but ain’t nobody lissenin’ to common sense….jus’ sayin’

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
5:54 pm

NORMAl–HI, nuthin’! You abandoned me to the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune last night and I said I was going to try and be nice… :-)

Kamchak

July 8th, 2009
5:55 pm

Kewl—a Stratfor video!!!!!

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
5:55 pm

md–oh, yes, and China’s thorn is about to become a festering wound…I never did cotton much to the policy of leaving them to China…

Scooter

July 8th, 2009
5:56 pm

I say we bomb thier computer factorys. That will teach them who the hack they are messin wit!

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
5:57 pm

Kamchak–Hey. You weren’t one of my slings and arrows! Left you a post this a.m. early replying to yours of late last p.m.

Kamchak

July 8th, 2009
6:07 pm

josef

Yeah, I caught your reply. I figured we exhausted the topic. Jewcowboy and I had many discussions concerning gay issues–must have been before your arrival. Not being married myself, I don’t feel threatened that allowing same sex marriages would “water down” my hetero marriage, but I do understand and condemn that sentiment.

getalife

July 8th, 2009
6:10 pm

lil kim looks like he will be gone soon.

Very thin.

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
6:14 pm

Kamchak–let’s not bring it up here. Tends to get some present in a snit, but it wasn’t “gay” that I was addressing, but the concept of just what it is a politician does versus what they say…that’s why I wound up, really, agreeing with you on Franken…we’ll see…

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
6:17 pm

Speaking of, I miss jewcowboy. I hope he’s doing well.

Kamchak

July 8th, 2009
6:19 pm

josef

I merely wanted to take exception to your concern that you don’t get much support from the left.

AmVet

July 8th, 2009
6:23 pm

Regarding the Koreans, the Chinese, the Iranians, the Pakistanis and the Holy Land the world is definitely in turmoil. Not to mention Iraq and Afghanistan! But then this is nothing new.

I think the fundamental question in the country is do we as a nation give the bungling, quasi-criminals in the GOP a seventh chance? Or is seventeenth?

Methinks not…

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
6:25 pm

Kamchak–noted. We can take it up later within another context. I was not entirely clear in what I was trying to get across and that was the difference in “pro forma” versus the heartfelt whatever the issue…

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
6:27 pm

Hey Amvet! Left you a post downstairs ’bout yore ejucashunul insteetushun elightism…

I Report (-: You Whine )-:

July 8th, 2009
6:27 pm

Secretary Of Labor Solis On Economy: “It Is Bad Right Now”

Gosh, aren’t we blessed with such brilliant leadership?

Normal

July 8th, 2009
6:28 pm

Sorry about last night, but the little missus was stressin’ about the boy coming with his family. He’s bringing our little China Doll…He adopted her five years ago. If you heard her without seeing her, you would think she was a valley girl. Cute as a button.

Scooter

July 8th, 2009
6:29 pm

AmVet @6:23 pm,
Do you think all this mess will really change much on the Dem’s watch? Even if Obama serves for eight years.

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
6:34 pm

SCOOTER–This mess is only going to get worse and there’s only so long we can keep going laying the blame on the previous administration. It’s already beginning to wear thin which is why we’re beginning to get this new spin…

NORMAL–Aren’t they wonderful? Have a nephew who’s married to a Japanese woman. Their little one is our family’s JAP-Jap!

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
6:37 pm

BTW–see the d*mned zionist conspiracy sent her back…that’s what we get for lettin’ Obama turn his back on our friend and ally…jus sayin

AmVet

July 8th, 2009
6:38 pm

josef, i saw it. But LBJ and Truman both had exceptional intellectual curiosity. And were already VERY well informed by the time they went for the BIG stage. Sarah? Not so much. Arguably not at all…

Scooter, no.

The first goal after George the Crusader is simply not to keep shiiting the bed for awhile. You know acting like a flaming nutjob and getting thousands of young Americans needlessly killed. (Oy gevalt! What a concept!)

Then maybe actually start accomplishing something constructive again…

Conservatism Leads to Paranoia

July 8th, 2009
6:39 pm

Ignore North Korea on the world stage. Crank up the sanctions behind the scene and keep the pressure on China to keep them in line. They are like children screaming for attention. If they don’t get it their heads will explode. They are nuts but not nutty enough to do something that would clearly bring down their regime.

Scooter

July 8th, 2009
6:40 pm

josef, When you refer to new spin are talking about the computer stuff?

md

July 8th, 2009
6:40 pm

Amvet,

You do know that your description of the GOP pretty much applies to all the parties, right? Politicians are out for themselves, not us. Ever wonder why Democratic politicians are so wealthy? We all know gop’ers are stingy, greedy, etc. Why not the dems?

If they truly believed the crap they spewed, wouldn’t they lead by example?

So why is brother Al lighting up his own small city in TN?

It’s all for show, and too many are buying it.

md

July 8th, 2009
6:42 pm

” keep the pressure on China”

Not a good idea to tick of the mortgage company when you can’t pay the bills.

Normal

July 8th, 2009
6:43 pm

md we can give them California…

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
6:44 pm

Am Vet–agreed on Sarah, bless her heart, and as far as LBJ and Truman are concerned, both were “accidental” presidents, another good recommendation for that office. I’d put Gerald Ford in the same cagtegory has them, though for different reasons. It’s one of the reasons I look at the VP candidate as closely as I do. And believe me, Palin was a fright, and the idea of Biden coming in is absolutely terrorizing!

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
6:45 pm

Scooter–new spin on the stimulus package.

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
6:46 pm

NORMAL–whacha mean “give ‘em California?” Would we wish that on our worst enemy?

Scooter

July 8th, 2009
6:48 pm

AmVet, I don’t know what Oy gevalt means but have to agree with you on this one. I still can’t figure out why we were there???

Conservatism Leads to Paranoia

July 8th, 2009
6:48 pm

China does not want a nuclear exchange on the Korean Peninsula nor a united Korea if the South were to prevail in a conflict. They also do not want a nuclear Japan. They wouldn’t call our mortgage; where would they sell all the s@#t they make?

ClearThinker

July 8th, 2009
6:54 pm

In light of his progressive foreign policy, the Japanesse and South Koreans are fools to believe Obama offers anything but sideline opposition to a North Korean attack.

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
6:54 pm

Scooter–Oy, vey! It’s hard to “define.” Just kinda “roll with the flow” when you hear it.

AmVet–so, should we start with the meshuggene momzer?

AmVet

July 8th, 2009
6:54 pm

“You do know that your description of the GOP pretty much applies to all the parties, right?”

All parties. As in ALL two. But don’t get me started on the two-party tyranny and the duopoly. One of major disappointments in American governance.

“Politicians are out for themselves, not us.”

I wish this weren’t so but as Supertramp sang, “It;s hard not to agree…”

The more emboldened don’t even bother pretending they represent us anymore. They are beholden totally to the monied corporate interests that bankroll them.

“The only difference between the Republican and Democratic parties is the velocities with which their knees hit the floor when corporations knock on their door. That’s the only difference. ~Ralph Nader

Scooter

July 8th, 2009
6:55 pm

josef, I guess that 6:40 question was kinda dumb.Just tring to learn.Thanks!

Normal

July 8th, 2009
6:58 pm

As to North korea, We need to show them that we can intercept and destroy their intermediate and long range missles every time they shoot one. China might squirm about a bit, but it would be in her best interest not to let it go further than that. The trouble with the NK is that they are believing their own press. Show them where they really stand as a nuc power. If the only way they have to deliver a nuc is FED EX, then they will have come back to reality…

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
7:00 pm

Scooter–not at all! Don’t get me started on Yiddish! There are things you can say in that language that you just can’t say in any other. It’s sort of like Southern English in that.

Scooter

July 8th, 2009
7:04 pm

josef, Just how many languages do you speak? Whew!

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
7:05 pm

NORMAL–”…the only way they have to deliver a nuc is FED EX…”

A good one and quite apt…

Scooter

July 8th, 2009
7:08 pm

Normal @ 6:58 pm,
I don’t think we need to show them. Surely they know we can take out anything they have. Even thier very existance!

Normal

July 8th, 2009
7:09 pm

Scooter! Don’t ask Josef that. He’ll answer you in 14 different tongues, including swahilli…

Normal

July 8th, 2009
7:10 pm

Yes Scooter, we DO need to show them and rub their faces in it. They need to be brought back to reality…Just sayin’

Dusty

July 8th, 2009
7:11 pm

As to Harry Truman, I made a comment on the last blog but….he did go to law school for two years. No degree. He is considered one of our greatest presidents. That is the conclusion of most articles I read about him. He was a member of the Baptist church.

Can you imagine how he would be treated if he were running for president now? It might be as bad as the dismal deluge of dismay about Sarah Palin who has not even said she is “running”.

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
7:11 pm

SCOOTER–well me and langugages. The Unmentionable says to tell you, “some people collect stamps. Josef collects languages.”

Normal

July 8th, 2009
7:13 pm

Josef, Been expirementing with tuna salad and I came up with a good one, I think. Salad for four add one teaspoon of McCormic italian seasoning…serve on bread or with crackers and of course, a good wine. But we know that’s really the secret to a good meal, don’t we…

Dusty

July 8th, 2009
7:14 pm

I don’t believe the people of Japan think FedEx is oing to make the rocket deliveries. Just NK delivering their own little love notes.

I Report (-: You Whine )-:

July 8th, 2009
7:14 pm

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 32% of the nation’s voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-seven percent (37%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of –5.

Oh, po wittle Obozo, only the moonbats like him now.

Normal

July 8th, 2009
7:17 pm

Dusty, I liked his “down home” honesty…Didn’t he say the reason he got into politics was because “HE COULDN’T DANCE”? Most politcians now a days really know how to dance, don’t they?…Oh I love to do the side step, now you see me, now you don’t..(Best Little W—E House in Texas…)

Normal

July 8th, 2009
7:18 pm

Whiner, secretly, deep inside, you love him too…you’re just too shy to admit it…

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
7:18 pm

DUSTY–I did not know that about law school. Thank you. As for his being a Baptist, yes, and it was from that perspective that he championed the creation of the Jewish state. Read in “Plain Speaking” where he came up with the idea of the Marshall Plan, called by Churchill “the most unsordid act in history.” He is as close to a “hero” as I have among the presidents. He was brilliant, well and widely read, sophisticated in thought and never lost touch with his roots. He would certainly not be “tolerated” today and that’s for sure!

Normal

July 8th, 2009
7:19 pm

Dusty

July 8th, 2009
7:14 pm
I don’t believe the people of Japan think FedEx is oing to make the rocket deliveries. Just NK delivering their own little love notes.
——————–
Well hey, that’s Japan, we have too many Toyota’s anyway, just ask GM…

Dusty

July 8th, 2009
7:21 pm

Another Korean conflict? Another Viet Nam? Let’s think about those for a minute. And also, aren’t we on the “books” with a promise to protect Taiwan?

Scooter

July 8th, 2009
7:23 pm

Normal, I don’t think we will ever have a prez that has enough kahoonas to rub thier faces in it. Too bad! Palin 2012 hehe

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
7:26 pm

My favorite one from Truman? When he fired McArthur, the most popular man in America, and when asked to defend his decision, did so in four words, “he lied to me.”

I Report (-: You Whine )-:

July 8th, 2009
7:26 pm

Abnormal- Wanna bet?

Normal

July 8th, 2009
7:29 pm

Oh Whiner, you just need a hug, com’ere you big baddie yopu…

Normal

July 8th, 2009
7:31 pm

Scooter, I don’t think Sarah has the “kahoonas” either ‘>)

Dusty

July 8th, 2009
7:34 pm

That’s it, Scooter. Americans realize that Sarah Palin has a “spine”. Bush had one too. But let us not get into that. AmVet may be still toddling around gnashing his teeth. (I can hear it now.’ If they only had a brain!’ It is so predictable here.)

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
7:35 pm

NORMAL @ 7:29–you’re so sweet.

I Report (-: You Whine )-:

July 8th, 2009
7:39 pm

Blog pool, 10 bucks a chance, 1,232 possible combinations, grand prize $10,000, second nets 2,320.00

How long will Hair Plugs Biden last as vice prez?

I got the whole first term, they can’t rid of him, they need someone to make Obozo look smart.

Uh, I send your donation to Management c/o Urinal.

jt

July 8th, 2009
7:40 pm

Considering that 9 out of 10 goverment workers do not really have a job(even in both Koreas) and they just spend their days on the intra-net, this “cyber attack” was nothing more than a “perfect storm” of Sarah Palin in jogging shorts and Michael Jackson’s brain.

I’m sure a few hundred billion dollars and a few csars will fix it.

Dusty

July 8th, 2009
7:41 pm

joseph nix,

Your Truman/MacArthur line “He lied to me”reminded me of Hemingway’s six word story he wrote when challenged. It was : For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
7:42 pm

I Report (-: You Whine )-:

Well, on Who Dat Say Who Dat Biden, every administration needs some comic relief. Franken for VP in 2012?

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
7:44 pm

DUSTY–speaking of terse, the NYT movie review of “Once Is Not Enough.” “Yes it is.”

getalife

July 8th, 2009
7:46 pm

For the newbies:

Never bet with the whiner.

He welches.

Blog on.

Dusty

July 8th, 2009
7:47 pm

Good one, joseph. Hadn’t heard that one.

Normal

July 8th, 2009
7:50 pm

There was that editor of the NYT that edited the New Testiment to 12 words…”He lived, He died, He’s coming back and He won’t be happy…

Scooter

July 8th, 2009
7:50 pm

Dusty @ 7:49 pm,
I hate to say this but I think Bush may have borrowed someone elses spine.

Normal

July 8th, 2009
7:51 pm

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
7:35 pm
NORMAL @ 7:29–you’re so sweet.
————
Aw shucks, Josef…

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
7:58 pm

NORMAL–”…I love little yellow ducks, old pick-up trucks…”

Dusty

July 8th, 2009
8:01 pm

NO, Scooter. Bush came with his own.

Normal

July 8th, 2009
8:02 pm

Dusty

July 8th, 2009
8:05 pm

getalife,

have you canceled your membership in the Mafia?

(He’s Sicilian you know.

Don’t bet with HIM.)

Dusty

July 8th, 2009
8:06 pm

Normal

July 8th, 2009
8:06 pm

Josef… Who sang that?

Normal

July 8th, 2009
8:07 pm

Dusty, nerver mind…we’ll just agree to disagree…

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
8:08 pm

DUSTY–

have you canceled your membership in the Mafia?

Not as of last p.m. he hadn’t!

Redneck Convert

July 8th, 2009
8:10 pm

Well, nice of josef to quote the great Tom T. Hall. Have a good night everybody.

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
8:10 pm

NORMAL: Tom T. Hall, and the Unmentionable says I quoted it wrong, it’s: “…I love little BABY ducks…” More appropriate here, eh?

DoggoneGA

July 8th, 2009
8:10 pm

“DUSTY–speaking of terse”

How about the world’s shortest poem? This was the winner of a contest. The rules were: it had to rhyme, it had to be short, and it had to have universal appeal.

Pay
Day

getalife

July 8th, 2009
8:12 pm

“Taking the stage to a roaring applause, Clinton said that he found current Republican complaints about Obama’s economic policies, specifically the stimulus package, to be “fastidious” and “hilarious.”

“The members of the other party say they are not for the stimulus, or health care reform, or fighting climate change because it costs money and they really would hate to put that debt on our grandchildren,” he said. “In the last eight years I saw the surplus I left, which would have taken you out of debt, even with the 2001 recession, by 2013… I saw it blown away and the debt doubled. And in the 12 years before I became president they quadrupled the debt.”

“These same people,” he added, “it didn’t bother them a bit to put a burden on our grandchildren to pay for a millionaire’s tax cut. But if we are helping some poor person go to work, or helping some young person go to college, that is unacceptable… I’m not saying we don’t have to worry about the debt. We do. It is a problem. But it is a problem that will have to be addressed after the economy grows again and we start generating revenues.”

Let the big dawg bite.

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
8:14 pm

Doggone–another one, “On Fleas”
Adam
Had ‘em

Dusty

July 8th, 2009
8:15 pm

Hmmmm

getalife,

last of the Mafia Mobsters

Kinda like the Mohicans

(No, Jo, I did not say Chocktaw,)

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
8:17 pm

On terse, we can’t forget “Silent Calvin” Coolidge when the lady seated next to him at a dinner party told him she had a bet she could get him to say more than two words. “You lose.”

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
8:18 pm

DUSTY @ 8:15 :-)

Curious Observer

July 8th, 2009
8:19 pm

Or one of the finest palindromes, supposedly how Adam introduced himself to Eve:

Madam, I’m Adam.

DoggoneGA

July 8th, 2009
8:21 pm

“Doggone–another one”

Yep, I remember that one. The winner I posted above…the thing that has always cracked me up about the rules was the “universal appeal”

I think it’s a stroke of pure genius to come up with “Pay Day”

josef nix

July 8th, 2009
8:23 pm

DoggoneGA

@ 8:21–Agreed!

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