Print 27 comment(s) - last by lexluthermiest.. on Apr 4 at 7:35 AM

China tries to deflect blame as evidence points towards organized cyber espionage from within Chinese borders

Cyber security issues have morphed from an issue of little importance to a major political issue in western nations, especially as China and several eastern European countries continue to bolster their cyber weapon arsenals.

Western nations routinely blame China for both government-operated hacking missions and organized cyberterrorism rings that operate in the country with very little legal recourse.

"This is purely another political issue that the West is trying to exaggerate," Beijing-based military analyst Song Xiaojun told a Chinese newspaper.  "As China grows, some in the West are trying every opportunity to manufacture fears over China's threat."

Many western security experts see China as one of the leading cyber threats in the world, and the country has been heavily criticized for alleged organized cyber attacks on western nations.  

"Cybersecurity has been a global issue, but this time those who see China as an emerging threat again have picked the subject as a new weapon," Peking University professor Zhu Feng said.

Despite Chinese officials showing outrage over being considered a cyber security threat, a spy network based in China reportedly hacked secure networks and government-operated systems in 103 nations, compromising around 1,300 computers total.  The Chinese computer espionage system, called GhostNet, targeted banks, other financial institutions, foreign embassies, media outlets, Tibet, and even the Dalai Lama.

"GhostNet is capable of taking full control of infected computers, including searching and downloading specific files, and covertly operating attached devices, including microphones and web cameras," according to the report.

Around 30 percent of PCs compromised are used by government agencies, according to the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto and SecDev Group, who discovered the Chinese-led hacking operation.

There is a call for improved cybersecurity standards each time a western nation is targeted by an organized infiltration, especially when it originates from China.  Last month, President Barack Obama ordered a government-wide cyber security review, aimed at detecting possible vulnerable points at risk by foreign cyber threats.

Comments     Threshold


just my thoughts
By inperfectdarkness on 4/1/2009 8:47:46 AM , Rating: 2
it's not "manufactured" if it's true; and it's not exaggerated if it's as prevelant as the past few years have demonstrated.

this smacks of iraq "complying" with the un inspections--while smuggling fissionable materials out the back doors of its complex.

all we need now is for microsoft to stop supporting china's O.S.'s with updates; and a USAF cyber command genetically-engineered conflicker with which to unleash upon the PLA.

RE: just my thoughts
By sweetsauce on 4/1/2009 9:35:25 AM , Rating: 1
Is that you Rumsfeld? Cheney perhaps? Mind providing some links/proof of these fissionable materials being smuggled out of Iraq? Should be an interesting read.

RE: just my thoughts
RE: just my thoughts
By JonnyDough on 4/2/2009 8:07:11 AM , Rating: 3
It's sad that Americans believe everything they read. Even if there was evidence, it could have been fabricated and given to the news corps. Consider this: What are the odds of one of the following happening?

1. The U.S. Government lies.
2. The news is controlled.
3. Evidence is fabricated and fed to the news.
4. The cake is never a lie and everything you read about foriegn nations is truth. A government lie to its people to obtain individual wealth and power? HORRORS! NEVER!

My fellow Americans, you're so gullable.

RE: just my thoughts
By lexluthermiester on 4/3/2009 3:05:29 AM , Rating: 2
It's sad that Americans believe everything they read.

We don't. Are you such a mentality that thinks we do?

Even if there was evidence,

There is, lots of it...

it could have been fabricated and given to the news corps

Possible, but why bother? It would be easier to simply hold the chinese government responsible for it's crimes against humanity[it's own people].


Oh, let do shall we?

1. The U.S. Government lies.

Duh! And so does EVERY other government on the face of the earth. The difference is in the motives...

2. The news is controlled.

Again, this happens everywhere. But it happens a lot less here.

3. Evidence is fabricated and fed to the news.

Perhaps that is true. But what is also true is that there are many a nation that would love to see the USA fall to ruin. Not going to happen, but you all can continue trying.


That was nothing more than complete drivel...

My fellow Americans, you're so gullible.

First, improve your spelling and second, look in a mirror.

Here's reality, we are being attacked. We have the right to defend ourselves. If you wish to count yourselves with our enemy's, then by all means prepare for our reaction. Cyber-terrorism nowadays is just as much a threat as real terrorism. And actions will be taken to remove that threat. Deal with it.

RE: just my thoughts
By Yawgm0th on 4/2/2009 10:28:44 AM , Rating: 2
There was no mention of fissionable material in that article.

RE: just my thoughts
By inperfectdarkness on 4/2/2009 9:15:34 AM , Rating: 2
"Storm Over Iraq" --Richard P. Hallion 1992

pre desert storm iraq was most certainly evasive & deflective with regards to UN inspections. to whit, the preliminary airstrikes in 1991 focused significant efforts on eliminating the N.B.C. threats (which, mind you, chemical weapons had already been used on indigineous kurds in iraq).

you are the weakest link. goodbye!

RE: just my thoughts
By anomaly76 on 4/2/2009 8:27:48 PM , Rating: 2
It doesn't really matter what preconditions were needed to justify our actions to invade Iraq. We would have inevitably went to war anyway.

Why? Because like the empires before it, America needs to sustain its empire by extracting goods from other countries and not have to buy it back with actual gold. Instead, they would purchase economic goods through the dollar with the intentions of inflating and devaluing it, the difference between the depreciating dollar and America getting the goods becomes a sort of imperial tax. (romans did it directly, we do it indirectly).

If you remember back in 1971, America defaulted on its payments on its purchase of foreign goods (declaring sort of a bankruptcy) but at the same time, we need the foreigners to have a reason to keep the dollar in their pocket despite its depreciating value. That reason was oil.

Right now, a foreign country could not buy oil without the dollar. Back in the 70s we made an agreement with the Saudies that we will back them up only if they accept payment with the dollar ONLY. This forced all other countries to keep the dollar despite the fact they would prefer to buy it (Euros, yens, etc).

Saddam Hussein was bold enough to market his oil in exchange for other currencies which threaten our economic well being because foreign countries wouldn't have a reason to hold the worthless dollar hence we went to war.

RE: just my thoughts
By lexluthermiester on 4/3/2009 3:36:26 AM , Rating: 2
That is an interesting set of theories . But anyone who understands even basic world economics would know how improbable and financially unsafe that would be for the USA.

Saddam Hussein was nothing more than a genocidal mad-man who deserved far more than he got. The Iraqi people now have a real chance a liberty. And while I was over there I was thanked every time I turned around. I was invited to dinner nearly every night[how they managed such great food with so little still amazes me], was offered a daughter for marriage and was a welcome guest in the home of every family I crossed paths with. We did them a favor and they know it. Most of them are grateful. To be honest, I am proud to have served my country, but I am even more proud to have had a hand in giving those folks a real chance at freedom and a happy life free of the madness and treachery of the idiot Saddam!

So you can belittle the US all you wish. The reality is that we have made a positive difference in that part of the world. And no amount of childish smack-mouth will change that fact!

RE: just my thoughts
By anomaly76 on 4/3/2009 3:38:55 PM , Rating: 2

I agree with you, Saddam was a bad guy and yes we did liberate the Iraqis in some way. In reviewing what I wrote in the previous message, I'm sorry if my tone does sound a little brash.

But my intentions were not to bash the U.S., my intentions were to point out that we the American people are NOT naive to think we ONLY invaded iraq under the flag of freedom and justice. I think we would be making a mistake if we didn't keep an open mind on what is ACTUALLY happening and just chose to ignore the rest of the motives besides the good ones.

Still, I support the war in Iraq becuase it means the dollar i carry in my wallet needs to MATTER. We need the dollar to have worth and backed up with some value (oil) if we were to live good lives and prosperity. Have we lost the war in Iraq, other countries wouldn't have a reason to keep the dollar and choose to buy oil with their own currency which spells dead end for us. What makes us an empire is our economic status quo, our economic welfare, and second is our military industrial might.

I just think that you and I have the right to know what is really going on and not be fooled by propaganda that we are ONLY doing it for the welfare of the Iraqi people. I don't think you and I are that stupid to believe that.

But on the flipside its good to have people like you because were not all evil people and there are Americans that do care whats going on over there. Sadly, not all the good guys are in charge and thats why our country has this duality of good intentions and selfish intensions in the middle east.

RE: just my thoughts
By anomaly76 on 4/3/2009 4:06:05 PM , Rating: 2
But to be fair LexLuther,

I do thank you for serving our country and fighting for our freedom to speak eventhough you do not agree on what I stand for.

Not to sound sarcastic because im not, i sincerely can't thank you enough to risk your life to fight for my right to disagree with you. Unfortunately, many Americans do not acknowledges this and continue to rage in protest under the flag of anti-American foreign policies.

This is what our soldiers are dying for and it makes me sad to have this country pervert that idea that they died for oil. But thats another debate.

RE: just my thoughts
By lexluthermiester on 4/4/2009 7:35:25 AM , Rating: 2
Sharing ones personal views and having the liberty to choose ones own destiny is the very reason I served. I went to Iraq to help defend my fellow Americans and to help the Iraqi people. If I had died, it would not have been in vain. Your right to express your opinion as you wish is a human birth-right that is unfortunately not respected in many countries around the world, including China. People are put to death in China for sharing opinion and facts that cast a bad light on the Chinese government. This is both inhumane and dangerous. It is time for another revolution in China, in my opinion. Hopefully a government that has more respect for it's people may arise. It has happened before...

Was access to Iraqi oil part of the equation? Sure. It would be unreasonable to think it wasn't. But was it the primary reason for invasion? I can confidently answer that with a no. Saddam's reign represented a serious threat not just to our nations safety, but to that of our allies. I do not support Pres. Bush lying to us and the world about the real reasons. He needed to be honest about it and put his foot down to opposition. But I do support the fact that we were/are there. We've made a difference, and at the end of the day that is what counts. China's actions toward the US and it's allies is more subtle and sneaky but ultimately just as, if not more, dangerous than Iraq. If we do not take action now we may very well loose the ability to do so later. The thing is, I have no gripe with the people of China. Just it's bass ackwards government and military.

As for your Thanks, you are most welcome! Whether or not we agree on any one issue is of secondary concern to the right to do so. There are many folks here at home that express their opinions and it makes my blood boil sometimes. But I, like so many before me, served to protect their right to do just that. Many of those people are ignorant. But that is their right. And I'm glad they have it.

By aegisofrime on 4/1/2009 9:53:36 AM , Rating: 5
Laptop in hand!
I can cripple thier facilities!
Batteries charged!
Uplink cables ready!
There's always a way in!
No system is safe!

By Kerdal on 4/1/2009 10:15:15 AM , Rating: 3
A C&C General reference? Nice.

By aegisofrime on 4/1/2009 10:17:49 AM , Rating: 2
Yup. Right now, I can imagine those hackers generating $5 every few seconds.

Or was it $8?

By yomamafor1 on 4/1/2009 11:54:40 AM , Rating: 2

They can deny all they want
By MrTeal on 4/1/2009 9:24:31 AM , Rating: 4
Unless some Chinese official can wave his hand and tell people these aren't the hackers you're looking for, no one will believe their claims of innocence.

The real question is what other governments are prepared to do to stop it.

RE: They can deny all they want
By The0ne on 4/1/2009 11:33:17 AM , Rating: 3
Which is won't happen. And if it ever did, it'll be for PR such as taking the 1-2 lowly fellows and executing them. This is China, I don't think they give a sh*t what others are saying and will continue to do what they want.

By xKeGSx on 4/1/2009 8:45:31 AM , Rating: 3
Chinese officials showing outrage over being considered a cyber security threat

April fools!

RE: ..
By Duwelon on 4/1/2009 8:59:32 AM , Rating: 1
Is what Obama is going to say once he finds out he has a choice of being a weakling or standing up for America.

RE: ..
By lexluthermiester on 4/3/2009 3:11:14 AM , Rating: 2
Haven't been paying attention to Obama's actions have you? Perhaps you should research your statements a bit more carefully before making them, because I see Obama fulfilling the promises he made. And he has had to fight the good fight for many of them. That, to me, shows backbone. You making and uninformed statement such as you have strikes me as spineless... But then again what do I know...

The Great Credidibilty Wall
By Casual Observer on 4/1/2009 8:45:16 AM , Rating: 2
Utube firewalled out, hackers's ip firewalled to proxy.

By Casual Observer on 4/1/2009 8:51:18 AM , Rating: 2
Both incredible and debilitating!

By Amiga500 on 4/1/2009 9:18:53 AM , Rating: 1
Because one chooses to do it from space does it make it different from the other who chooses to do it through the net?

There wouldn't be any hypocrisy going on here would there?

By adiposity on 4/1/2009 1:02:33 PM , Rating: 3
Spying and hacking are not the same. Using the hacked computers to spy, is one thing. But the hacking itself is a different matter. If you can't see the difference then you have limited reasoning skills.


Scarface? Right...
By WoWCow on 4/1/2009 11:05:12 AM , Rating: 1
I want you to call him at 3am... and tell him: "We fucked up!"

Well, of course any nation can be Tony Montana. That is, you go into someone's house you suspect is guilty, have someone call them (subtly forcing a admission to crime).
Just that nobody is gonna be gunning China down like Tony did.

But it would be funny to watch the Chinese official face turning ash gray during a state visit as a diplomatic embarrassment.


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