Cyber Attackers Target South Korea and US

North Koreans are thought to be behind a cyber attack aimed at South Korean and US government and business websites. The attack – known as denial of service in which malicious software instructs thousands of personal computers to visit particular websites simultaneously – is not uncommon, though a South Korean professor doubts North Korea had the capability to knock down a website. Whatever the case, there appears to be a consensus that the effort was devised at an organization or state level. Indeed, a US analyst views the attack as a direct result of North Korea’s demand for attention. Of note, the attacks occurred the same week that a North Korea ship had to return home to avert port inspections based on UN sanctions and that North Korea fired 11 missiles with limited response by the international community. Exacting revenge for being ignored, Kim Jong Il may now be turning to a tool of globalization he has sought to limit within his own country – the internet. – YaleGlobal