China-based Spies Target Thailand

[Jai Dee]

China-based spies target Thailand

Canadian intelligence experts have unearthed a huge computer-controlled espionage ring, based in China while targetting Thailand and 102 other countries, according to the Canadian institute and The New York Times. One target of the hackers in China was the Thai embassy in the Philippines, where at least one computer with classified information was inflitrated. Another victim the Asean secretariat, along with unspecified news organisations.

The Munk Centre for International Studies at the University of Toronto reported that the computer-based electronic spying run out of China had infiltrated at least 1,295 computers and stolen documents from embassies, ministries and government offices in 103 countries, plus the Dalai Lama’s Tibetan exile centers in India, Brussels, London and New York.

More from the Bangkok Post here.

[brahmburgers]

not surprising.

If they were just snooping, that would be bad enough. But it's doubtful it stops there. Chinese hackers have shown, in the past, that they're ready and willing to cause havoc with computers of those who appear to counter China's imperialist ambitions and/or cause China to 'lose face.'

Computer snooping and attacking others' computers/web sites doesn't just stem from government levels in China. There are large numbers of quasi-independent hackers who do such things - and who are also at least tolerated by, and probably encouraged by (maybe even paid by) Beijing big shots to do their nasty deeds.

Edited March 30, 2009 by brahmburgers

[Scott]

The Chinese are showing themselves to be rather nasty folks.

[h90]

not surprising.

If they were just snooping, that would be bad enough. But it's doubtful it stops there. Chinese hackers have shown, in the past, that they're ready and willing to cause havoc with computers of those who appear to counter China's imperialist ambitions and/or cause China to 'lose face.'

Computer snooping and attacking others' computers/web sites doesn't just stem from government levels in China. There are large numbers of quasi-independent hackers who do such things - and who are also at least tolerated by, and probably encouraged by (maybe even paid by) Beijing big shots to do their nasty deeds.

USA is even doing the same or worse. Russia also. Germany and Austria is doing it......

USA is just angry that China is successful.

[Seneque]

Unfortunately, 'hackers' are found the world over and the game is to infiltrate the privacy of others ... anything better to do ?

I believe many government are doing what the Chinese are doing, this is the new (less risky) spy game.

[bangkokrick]

The Chinese are showing themselves to be rather nasty folks.

No mire nasty that the US. Two weeks ago the Chinese navy intercepted a US spy ship just of the coast. The sent out two war shipped to escort it on it's merry way and the US responded by sending in one of the war ships to protect it. This was reported here in China as the most serious incident between the two countries for a decade. I did not see any reports on this incident in the International press?

I find it bizarre that the US are asking favours of China regarding the Dollar/bonds and then sending in spy ships.

Cheers, Rick

[Thai at Heart]

not surprising.

If they were just snooping, that would be bad enough. But it's doubtful it stops there. Chinese hackers have shown, in the past, that they're ready and willing to cause havoc with computers of those who appear to counter China's imperialist ambitions and/or cause China to 'lose face.'

Computer snooping and attacking others' computers/web sites doesn't just stem from government levels in China. There are large numbers of quasi-independent hackers who do such things - and who are also at least tolerated by, and probably encouraged by (maybe even paid by) Beijing big shots to do their nasty deeds.

USA is even doing the same or worse. Russia also. Germany and Austria is doing it......

USA is just angry that China is successful.

They may have been successfully rumbled. Everyone is snooping on everyone.

[apetley]

The Chinese are showing themselves to be rather nasty folks.

No mire nasty that the US. Two weeks ago the Chinese navy intercepted a US spy ship just of the coast. The sent out two war shipped to escort it on it's merry way and the US responded by sending in one of the war ships to protect it. This was reported here in China as the most serious incident between the two countries for a decade. I did not see any reports on this incident in the International press?

I find it bizarre that the US are asking favours of China regarding the Dollar/bonds and then sending in spy ships.

Cheers, Rick

This incident was widely reported, maybe you missed it.

All the 'respected' UK newspapers covered the incident in depth.

Here's a few other links.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/11/...in4858093.shtml

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/world/1372...ss-us-navy-ship

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/worl...icle5878834.ece

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7934138.stm

[bangkokrick]

The Chinese are showing themselves to be rather nasty folks.

No mire nasty that the US. Two weeks ago the Chinese navy intercepted a US spy ship just of the coast. The sent out two war shipped to escort it on it's merry way and the US responded by sending in one of the war ships to protect it. This was reported here in China as the most serious incident between the two countries for a decade. I did not see any reports on this incident in the International press?

I find it bizarre that the US are asking favours of China regarding the Dollar/bonds and then sending in spy ships.

Cheers, Rick

This incident was widely reported, maybe you missed it.

All the 'respected' UK newspapers covered the incident in depth.

Here's a few other links.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/11/...in4858093.shtml

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/world/1372...ss-us-navy-ship

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/worl...icle5878834.ece

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7934138.stm

Thanks for the links mate. Interesting.

Cheers, Rick

[tso310]

Nothing new

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/308788.stm

DOS (denial of service) attacks and trying to gain entry have been commonplace at all commercial sites for ages. I remember when the company I work for started its home shopping site circa 2002 it was attacked alot with DOS and attempted hacks. All successfully repelled. There's alot of money to be had protecting web sites and in IT security in general.

Can't see what they would be hacking in Thailand unless its webcam sites in Patpong or Cowboy.

[Lite Beer]

Post with reference to Royal Family deleted.

[khundon]

Most Governments are at it, cheap and easy to do.

[samgrowth]

Ask Sobdhi about this.

He is Chinese, speak chinese, and have strong connection with the Chinese government.

[brahmburgers]

not surprising.

If they were just snooping, that would be bad enough. But it's doubtful it stops there. Chinese hackers have shown, in the past, that they're ready and willing to cause havoc with computers of those who appear to counter China's imperialist ambitions and/or cause China to 'lose face.'

Computer snooping and attacking others' computers/web sites doesn't just stem from government levels in China. There are large numbers of quasi-independent hackers who do such things - and who are also at least tolerated by, and probably encouraged by (maybe even paid by) Beijing big shots to do their nasty deeds.

USA is even doing the same or worse. Russia also. Germany and Austria is doing it......

USA is just angry that China is successful.

They may have been successfully rumbled. Everyone is snooping on everyone.

maybe it's a moot point, but the difference with how China functions in this regard, is they encourage untold numbers of their private citizens to launch DOS and other sorts of cyber attacks. Although the US has the best spy network worldwide, I doubt the Feds encourage private citizens to launch cyber attacks against others.

[Tilokarat]

Do you mean Sondhi? If not, who is Sobdhi?

Look at the photos of all of the big-shot politicians in Thailand. They are all mostly Chinese, and speak Chinese, and are in cahoots with the Chinese government to varying degrees.

[Thai at Heart]

not surprising.

If they were just snooping, that would be bad enough. But it's doubtful it stops there. Chinese hackers have shown, in the past, that they're ready and willing to cause havoc with computers of those who appear to counter China's imperialist ambitions and/or cause China to 'lose face.'

Computer snooping and attacking others' computers/web sites doesn't just stem from government levels in China. There are large numbers of quasi-independent hackers who do such things - and who are also at least tolerated by, and probably encouraged by (maybe even paid by) Beijing big shots to do their nasty deeds.

USA is even doing the same or worse. Russia also. Germany and Austria is doing it......

USA is just angry that China is successful.

They may have been successfully rumbled. Everyone is snooping on everyone.

maybe it's a moot point, but the difference with how China functions in this regard, is they encourage untold numbers of their private citizens to launch DOS and other sorts of cyber attacks. Although the US has the best spy network worldwide, I doubt the Feds encourage private citizens to launch cyber attacks against others.

I think you aren't understanding the mindset of many Chinese people when it comes to patriotism. An individual Chinese hacker could see it as his patriotic duty if he hacked an important foreign computer network and gained information that benefitted the state. Who says these are private individuals anyway? Do you expect the Chinese secret service or the Feds to front up and admit that they have hackers on the payroll for the purpose of infiltrating foreign computer networks?

But of course, Air America wasn't part of the CIA.

[fresnoboy]

Nothing new

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/308788.stm

DOS (denial of service) attacks and trying to gain entry have been commonplace at all commercial sites for ages. I remember when the company I work for started its home shopping site circa 2002 it was attacked alot with DOS and attempted hacks. All successfully repelled. There's alot of money to be had protecting web sites and in IT security in general.

Can't see what they would be hacking in Thailand unless its webcam sites in Patpong or Cowboy.

[Johpa]

It must be tough to be a Chinese hacker, instructed to hack into other government's systems but be unable to access YouTube and porn. The poor wanke_rs.

[MyphuketLife]

not surprising.

If they were just snooping, that would be bad enough. But it's doubtful it stops there. Chinese hackers have shown, in the past, that they're ready and willing to cause havoc with computers of those who appear to counter China's imperialist ambitions and/or cause China to 'lose face.'

Computer snooping and attacking others' computers/web sites doesn't just stem from government levels in China. There are large numbers of quasi-independent hackers who do such things - and who are also at least tolerated by, and probably encouraged by (maybe even paid by) Beijing big shots to do their nasty deeds.

USA is even doing the same or worse. Russia also. Germany and Austria is doing it......

USA is just angry that China is successful.

every major country does this on some level I am sure... but this report came out of canada, not the US so how do you turn this to the USA is just angry that China is successful???? Maybe you should have said that Canada is just angry....

[Shotime]

Don't worry about why the US has been dragged into this. They're jealous, and will take any opportunity to say something bad.

I thought Thailand's economy is mainly based on Japan's money.