If NK were able to do this attack, it wouldn't have started with Sony. It is either an inside job or the CIA. CIA and FBI don't communicate or share information just for this reason. From a famous tv seriies, "I don't see nothin" and know nothin. Great work CIA!
The truth is that I don't know, and I was tempted to vote that way, but having read all the different accounts, of their 6,000 strong hacker team inside China, their past record, etc., admittedly just the tip of the iceberg, I think DPRK are responsible.
If they didn't cry wolf so often, more people might believe their denials.
I've worked in inteliigence in the past and even held security clearances. North Korea has agents in China and Russia, they basically hired other teams to do the work but if you notice all intel from the US says "centrally controlled" by NK. There is no way NK could do it by themselves but NK hired and paid for it so they are responsible.
It is not mutually exclusive that the Sony hack is an inside job and that North Korea has a hand in it.
We don't have all the evidence. We only know the stuff that regular computer hackers can figure out. We don't know the stuff that spy agents are privy to. In simpler terms, we only know the computer technical side - we don't know the behind-the-scenes (who's controlling the hackers).
I don't know and that is the way I voted. I would like to address the people that say North Korea wouldn't attack Sony but instead attack a military or government system.
The kinds of protections in place for military, intelligence agencies and the federal government are more sophisticated and would pose a much greater risk for North Korea than a private business. An attack on something like these would almost certainly fail while being detected. The North Koreans may be brain washed and it is true that some of them may be legitimately insane as a cause of brain washing, but there must be some cooler heads in the country which would want to start by attacking easier targets that go immediately for NORAD or the CIA.
Plus the thing that appears to be most important to North Korean leadership is their image. The governments of the United States, Japan and South Korea are not overtly threatening physical force against North Korea. They are not doing anything which is as offensive as the movie (I assume, having not seen it). Their capabilities and motives I believe make Sony or Comedy Central a more likely target than a military target.
I was going to say that the North Korean government certainly had the motive to launch the cyber attack being as how their current leader is the target of an assassination in the movie. But then upon learning that the production costs of this movie was in the neighborhood of $100 million, the North Koreans should be laughing their asses off.
I've worked in inteliigence in the past and even held security clearances. North Korea has agents in China and Russia, they basically hired other teams to do the work but if you notice all intel from the US says "centrally controlled" by NK. There is no way NK could do it by themselves but NK hired and paid for it so they are responsible.
I completely agree. I think NK was responsible, but they most definitely had a heavier hand in getting this done, that they did this all by themselves, highly unlikely.
@bertie
You don't need to see the evidence, that's for the CIA and NSA to decipher and discern what is pertinent information if NK did or didn't do it alone or with help, you or I don't need to know and it shouldn't matter, if there is enough proof and they share it with the public, fine, if not, you don't believe it, it doesn't matter.
if there is enough proof and they share it with the public, fine, if not, you don't believe it, it doesn't matter.
The problem is that if they don't share it with the public, they won't be believed even if there is enough proof. This is because the American government has destroyed its credibility (in large part due to invading a sovereign country that had not attacked them, based on lies that they made up). And if you think that it doesn't matter whether or no they are believed, you are just playing your part in destroying your country's credibility. And since we live in a global economy, credibility is important, and anyone that doesn't think so will find themselves economically isolated in time. Ask the N. Koreans, they can tell you all about it.
The problem is that if they don't share it with the public, they won't be believed even if there is enough proof. This is because the American government has destroyed its credibility (in large part due to invading a sovereign country that had not attacked them, based on lies that they made up). And if you think that it doesn't matter whether or no they are believed, you are just playing your part in destroying your country's credibility. And since we live in a global economy, credibility is important, and anyone that doesn't think so will find themselves economically isolated in time. Ask the N. Koreans, they can tell you all about it.
The problem with the Europeans, they care too much what the world thinks and that's fine, I don't think the US needs to worry about what anyone else thinks especially when it comes to its own internal problems, meaning in this case, that whether the world believes that NK was solely responsible or not, I don't need to know what they do, how they keep me safe, just as long as they can prevent future attacks that is all that I care about and as far as credibility being tarnished, it's been like that for many, many years with certain countries, so why care now? And lastly, America is the absolute last person that has to worry about being economically isolated, NOT going to happen anytime present or in the near and distant future.
But nice try, Strange
The problem with the Europeans, they care too much what the world thinks and that's fine
Maybe they do, but I suppose you'd have to actually ask a European in order to find out.
I don't think the US needs to worry about what anyone else thinks especially when it comes to its own internal problems
An issue with North Korea, based in an attack on a Japanese company based in the US is not an internal problem.
as far as credibility being tarnished, it's been like that for many, many years with certain countries, so why care now?
Because it's getting worse, and not just with certain countries, but most countries. You probably don't hear it as much, as you are American, but us non-Americans hear it all the time from other non-Americans.
America is the absolute last person that has to worry about being economically isolated, NOT going to happen anytime present or in the near and distant future. But nice try, Strange
It's like the frog boiling in the water - by the time you realize, it will be too late.
An issue with North Korea, based in an attack on a Japanese company based in the US is not an internal problem.
It is an internal problem as in how the CIA and NSA deals with it and rectifies it. We don't need to know exactly what actions they take when dealing with the problem.
Because it's getting worse, and not just with certain countries, but most countries. You probably don't hear it as much, as you are American, but us non-Americans hear it all the time from other non-Americans.
I'm a million mile frequent flyer, seriously, I hear it all the time! So what? Doesn't matter either way.
It's like the frog boiling in the water - by the time you realize, it will be too late.
Anyway, it's just not going to happen, no matter how you may wish it. Nothing to worry about. Like the saying goes, "When America sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold."
40 percent actually believe the U.S. government on this? I bet most of those can't even remember what they had for breakfast yesterday, cause they certainly can't remember how the U.S. government has lied to them and the world over and over.
Its kind of funny that after a string of hacking attacks on Sony, suddenly this last one was by North Korea, and definitely not the same people as before, merely taking advantage of all the hoopla over that offensive movie.
I wonder if those 40 percent still think Saddam Hussein was an al-Qaeda buddy who was an imminent threat to the U.S. with WMD armed ballistic missiles? I wonder if they still believe bin Laden hid in high tech James Bond villain style bunkers in Tora Bora.
I am definitely in the wrong business. I should have gotten in the willing slave business too! Just tell them they are in danger and I am their savior. Now give me your money and I will go punch somebody and make you feel safer.
Bass4funk: for someone who doesn't care and doesn't lose sleepover it, how many posts on this thread now?
I think NK played a VERY small role in it, like pushing an enter button after everything else was done, or even just taking credit forit to look more capable than they are. That's it.
citizen2000, as I said above and got voted down for, "I don't know" is the correct answer for me too.
But the JT question is "What do you think?".
Based on everything that I have so far heard and observed, and on balance, with motive and having made threats etc., I think that DPRK was behind it, sure with possible help from within Sony. (My second thought would be Anon, but their motive is not so strong, IMHO.)
I think it was an inside job by a disgruntled Sony Pictures employee with had the correct security credentials working with allied hackers, then they "spoofed" themselves to make everyone think it came from the DPRK.
sure it was a new way to ads a shitty movie.
people who watched it believing to protect the freedom of expression went just scummed.
I would just say...baka.
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noriyosan73
If NK were able to do this attack, it wouldn't have started with Sony. It is either an inside job or the CIA. CIA and FBI don't communicate or share information just for this reason. From a famous tv seriies, "I don't see nothin" and know nothin. Great work CIA!
Pandabelle
No chance.
This was an inside job pure and simple, and all the evidence points that way.
nandakandamanda
The truth is that I don't know, and I was tempted to vote that way, but having read all the different accounts, of their 6,000 strong hacker team inside China, their past record, etc., admittedly just the tip of the iceberg, I think DPRK are responsible.
If they didn't cry wolf so often, more people might believe their denials.
WilliB
I do think so. With a lot of help from China of course; I just don´t see Kim Yong Un`s otaku squad being able to do this by themselves.
gogogo
I've worked in inteliigence in the past and even held security clearances. North Korea has agents in China and Russia, they basically hired other teams to do the work but if you notice all intel from the US says "centrally controlled" by NK. There is no way NK could do it by themselves but NK hired and paid for it so they are responsible.
Thunderbird2
I think if NK was capable of such an attack they would have gone for NORAD or some other US military system.
lostrune2
It is not mutually exclusive that the Sony hack is an inside job and that North Korea has a hand in it.
We don't have all the evidence. We only know the stuff that regular computer hackers can figure out. We don't know the stuff that spy agents are privy to. In simpler terms, we only know the computer technical side - we don't know the behind-the-scenes (who's controlling the hackers).
Miyagi Ken
I don't know and that is the way I voted. I would like to address the people that say North Korea wouldn't attack Sony but instead attack a military or government system.
The kinds of protections in place for military, intelligence agencies and the federal government are more sophisticated and would pose a much greater risk for North Korea than a private business. An attack on something like these would almost certainly fail while being detected. The North Koreans may be brain washed and it is true that some of them may be legitimately insane as a cause of brain washing, but there must be some cooler heads in the country which would want to start by attacking easier targets that go immediately for NORAD or the CIA.
Plus the thing that appears to be most important to North Korean leadership is their image. The governments of the United States, Japan and South Korea are not overtly threatening physical force against North Korea. They are not doing anything which is as offensive as the movie (I assume, having not seen it). Their capabilities and motives I believe make Sony or Comedy Central a more likely target than a military target.
Serrano
I was going to say that the North Korean government certainly had the motive to launch the cyber attack being as how their current leader is the target of an assassination in the movie. But then upon learning that the production costs of this movie was in the neighborhood of $100 million, the North Koreans should be laughing their asses off.
BertieWooster
How can we think anything when we have no actual evidence?
Until I see something conclusive I have an open mind.
bass4funk
I completely agree. I think NK was responsible, but they most definitely had a heavier hand in getting this done, that they did this all by themselves, highly unlikely.
@bertie
You don't need to see the evidence, that's for the CIA and NSA to decipher and discern what is pertinent information if NK did or didn't do it alone or with help, you or I don't need to know and it shouldn't matter, if there is enough proof and they share it with the public, fine, if not, you don't believe it, it doesn't matter.
nath
The problem is that if they don't share it with the public, they won't be believed even if there is enough proof. This is because the American government has destroyed its credibility (in large part due to invading a sovereign country that had not attacked them, based on lies that they made up). And if you think that it doesn't matter whether or no they are believed, you are just playing your part in destroying your country's credibility. And since we live in a global economy, credibility is important, and anyone that doesn't think so will find themselves economically isolated in time. Ask the N. Koreans, they can tell you all about it.
bass4funk
The problem with the Europeans, they care too much what the world thinks and that's fine, I don't think the US needs to worry about what anyone else thinks especially when it comes to its own internal problems, meaning in this case, that whether the world believes that NK was solely responsible or not, I don't need to know what they do, how they keep me safe, just as long as they can prevent future attacks that is all that I care about and as far as credibility being tarnished, it's been like that for many, many years with certain countries, so why care now? And lastly, America is the absolute last person that has to worry about being economically isolated, NOT going to happen anytime present or in the near and distant future. But nice try, Strange
nath
Maybe they do, but I suppose you'd have to actually ask a European in order to find out.
An issue with North Korea, based in an attack on a Japanese company based in the US is not an internal problem.
Because it's getting worse, and not just with certain countries, but most countries. You probably don't hear it as much, as you are American, but us non-Americans hear it all the time from other non-Americans.
It's like the frog boiling in the water - by the time you realize, it will be too late.
bass4funk
It is an internal problem as in how the CIA and NSA deals with it and rectifies it. We don't need to know exactly what actions they take when dealing with the problem.
I'm a million mile frequent flyer, seriously, I hear it all the time! So what? Doesn't matter either way.
Anyway, it's just not going to happen, no matter how you may wish it. Nothing to worry about. Like the saying goes, "When America sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold."
BertieWooster
bass, I've said it before and I'll say it again.
I wish I had your faith.
It must make things so much simpler.
nath
It makes things simpler for him. Complicates the real-world though.
nath
I don't know if NK was involved or responsible.
Vast majority of cyber crimes are done using insider info, in this case the hackers had access to an admin ID and its password.
So a disgruntled ex-employee sounds very possible.
Magic Eight Ball
40 percent actually believe the U.S. government on this? I bet most of those can't even remember what they had for breakfast yesterday, cause they certainly can't remember how the U.S. government has lied to them and the world over and over.
Its kind of funny that after a string of hacking attacks on Sony, suddenly this last one was by North Korea, and definitely not the same people as before, merely taking advantage of all the hoopla over that offensive movie.
I wonder if those 40 percent still think Saddam Hussein was an al-Qaeda buddy who was an imminent threat to the U.S. with WMD armed ballistic missiles? I wonder if they still believe bin Laden hid in high tech James Bond villain style bunkers in Tora Bora.
I am definitely in the wrong business. I should have gotten in the willing slave business too! Just tell them they are in danger and I am their savior. Now give me your money and I will go punch somebody and make you feel safer.
bass4funk
No, I just don't lose sleep over something I or the public have no control over and no need for it and let the powers that be deal with it.
That is, if you had too many the drinks the night before perhaps.
You don't know if, when, who or if anyone was lied to. If you can prove if beyond a shadow of a doubt, show us, if not, you are just speculating.
Magic Eight Ball
Okay. So you never heard of wikileaks. Sorry, but the boy who cried wolf is a liar, even he is not lying this time. I don't trust him.
smithinjapan
Bass4funk: for someone who doesn't care and doesn't lose sleepover it, how many posts on this thread now?
I think NK played a VERY small role in it, like pushing an enter button after everything else was done, or even just taking credit forit to look more capable than they are. That's it.
citizen2000
I am surprise that majority thinks YES without any evidences. For me the only answer could be "I don't know".
nandakandamanda
citizen2000, as I said above and got voted down for, "I don't know" is the correct answer for me too.
But the JT question is "What do you think?".
Based on everything that I have so far heard and observed, and on balance, with motive and having made threats etc., I think that DPRK was behind it, sure with possible help from within Sony. (My second thought would be Anon, but their motive is not so strong, IMHO.)
Raymond Chuang
I think it was an inside job by a disgruntled Sony Pictures employee with had the correct security credentials working with allied hackers, then they "spoofed" themselves to make everyone think it came from the DPRK.
jhagen
sure it was a new way to ads a shitty movie. people who watched it believing to protect the freedom of expression went just scummed. I would just say...baka.
gelendestrasse
I'm not positive that NK did it but any opportunity to heap scorn on the fat little freak is a good one.