In North Korea hackers are considered as the national elite

Reuters has published an interesting report on the activities of the so-called Office 121 - the elite hacker units concerned including attacks on the network of Western companies. Interest in the subject arose after Sony Pictures North Korea suspected of hacking into his computer network. Allegedly hacking linked to the upcoming comedy film "Interview", which ridiculed North Korean leader Kim ChenYn.

Naturally, North Korean diplomats have denied any involvement in the burglary. And in this version is hard to believe, because attackers openly declared that the attack carried out in order to annoy the CEO of Sony Pictures. In addition, they clearly acted on the public that would be unprofessional on the part of state intelligence.

Reuters report is based on information from defectors who have managed to get to South Korea. They say that in the Office 121 takes the most talented computer experts from across the country. They are selected one at a time and train with the 17-year-old. One of the narrators studied with such students at the Faculty of Informatics at the University of military automation, whose building in Pyongyang, together with the hostel surrounded by barbed wire. Department annually produces 100 specialists.

The department is part of the intelligence unit of the General Staff, at the elite unit of the Korean People's Army. According to the informant, the hacker unit consists of about 1800 "fighters". The regime is pampered them, for example, provide a spacious apartment for living and a generous allowance.

Some hackers release for work abroad, including in the guise of employees of commercial companies.

Most attacks Office 121 is aimed at South Korea, with which the northern half of the technically still at war. Last year more than 30,000 computers in South Korean banks and TV stations were disabled in much the same way as it is now Sony Pictures, with the use of malware, which was given the name DarkSeoul. According to an investigation Symantec, the attack carried out by a group of 10 to 50 people, which operated for five years.

North Korea's policy of hostility and do not hide in relation to the US, because they were on the side of South Korea in the 1950-53 war, so the attack on the US companies would be quite logical

Source: xaker.ru