TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross
AP: d989592f-482b-4eaf-9fa0-ad7051f3acd3
The Chinese government has denied involvement in the cyber-attacks tracked by Mandiant. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

We hired them to build our computers and now they're hacking them

BY Dave Ross  on February 20, 2013 @ 5:35 am (Updated: 5:49 am - 2/20/13 )

A report released in Washington has tracked cyber attacks on 141 companies, mostly American, and the source is not, as you might think, some cabal of alienated teenage keyboard jockeys.

"Our six years of research shows that these hackers are members of the People's Liberation Army's Unit at 63918," reports Grady Summers.

Summers is a vice president with Mendiant, the computer security company that tracked these attacks to a 12 story building in Shanghai's financial district.

The Chinese have vigorously denied it.

Sannon Van Sant translates, "China's foreign ministry spokesperson denied the charge and said China is a victim of cyber attacks from the U.S."

And they have a point. Our side is not unfamiliar with organized cyber attacks on other countries.

As "60 Minutes" reported in 2012, "The first attack using a computer virus called stuxnet was launched several years ago against an Iranian nuclear faciltiy almost certainly with some U.S. involvement."

So there's a little Karma at work here.

But not to worry. Mr. Summers tells France24 that thanks to our huge national debt, China can't afford to turn off our lights.

"In fact China is the (United States') biggest foreign investor so it wouldn't be to their advantage to cripple our infrastructure. The scary thing is - they have that access if they ever wanted to do it."

So, just be vigilant. Remember as you fill your iPhone with apps that control your sound system, your furnace, your garage door that one day, the Chinese military might change your play list, turn up the heat and trap your car. Who thought this would be how they bring us to our knees.

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
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Comments (44)


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  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    No worries, Dave.
    February 20, 2013 5:40 am
    At the rate Owebama is borrowing from China, they'll own us soon enough. Congrats to your party. They will be responsible for the destruction of a once great nation....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • R L M 456 wrote...
    "Our six years of research shows that these hackers are members of the People's Liberation Army
    February 20, 2013 5:47 am
    THAT is the REAL Problem

    6 years to figure out what MOST Americans

    had figured out in 6 DAYS

    and even more troubling?????

    But not to worry. Mr. Summers tells France24 that thanks to our huge national debt, China can't afford to turn off our lights.

    THAT is the answer?????,,,Charge more debt

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MainEvent wrote...
    and........
    February 20, 2013 5:49 am
    we will all be better off without the republitards. How the mighty have fallen, from the greatness of Lincoln to the corporate monkey of Bush.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • vsekvsek wrote...
    Its all Bushes fault
    February 20, 2013 5:54 am
    I feel sorry for people that blame Bush for everything. These are the same people that are so simple minded you could easily convince them to join the Nazi party if you convinced them the Nazi party is against George Bush. Wow. Such stupitdity out there.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TheSymbolForBoron wrote...
    Why the demonization of Hitler, vsekvsek?
    February 20, 2013 7:14 am
    Once you leave government, everyone knows all culpability goes to the next guy. Blame Hitler… Hitler, Hitler, Hitler.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    TheSymbolForBoron
    February 20, 2013 9:56 am
    It's the truth. You morons will vote for whoever will lead you by the nose to your next meal or BUN meeting. This is why you are Left wing Parrots.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • murr wrote...
    Like we did not know this, keep your head in the sand
    February 20, 2013 6:05 am
    Over at jonestown, they have some koolaid for you, for your vote. Remember who had the most China vistors to the white house before his reelection, and his counter part sells to Al Jazeera.. oh yea more of the same, from the same. Like a P-MP, sells out america for their agenda. (private profit)
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  • messiah101 wrote...
    murr
    February 20, 2013 2:18 pm
    So a GOP President opening the door to China means nothing?(I agreed with Nixon at the time but it has worked against us in the long run)As far as Al Gore selling to Al Jazzeera goes first of all why not? and 2nd Al Gore was a minority owner he could not sell the network
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  • Cbrew wrote...
    It's time to fight back....
    February 20, 2013 7:48 am
    Karma has little to do with it Dave, I for one am not an apologist, You know what else America does Dave? We invade country's that attack us and country's that support terrorist activities, does this mean we should act like you and say it's Karma if we get attacked again? Because we fight back? You're a misguided idiot Dave Ross. China is attacking our country using cyber warfare, they have been stealing Intellectual property from our Companies left and right... They have been stealing information from our Federal agencies as well... This is an attack on our country, we should respond in kind, we should be attacking those who attack us, be it on the battlespace or in cyber space. We should be shutting these Chinese Criminals down... we should be stealing their state secrets and publishing them for the world to see, see how China likes a little taste of it's own medicine.
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  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    It will never happen, Cbrew.
    February 20, 2013 8:34 am
    Only when the pu55y DimoRats are out of power will America again defend itself against this blatant attack. Until then, it's capitulate at any cost. The Chinese OWN us and they know it. Thanks again, DimoRats.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CldWtrSrf wrote...
    Cbrew...
    February 20, 2013 9:03 am
    Dave Ross IS and idiot, I will agree with you. Actually, he's a propagandist mouth piece that is pushing a so called "liberal" agenda that is really and Authoritarian Fascist take over. But that is besides the point. Stuxnet was an Act Of War. I wonder what would happen if Mexico, or Venezuela did the same thing to us? Well, I don't wonder, I know what would happen. We would commence a bombing campaign for a few weeks and level most of the infrastructure, then invade and occupy. Then the bankers would come in an reap all the profits of "Nation Building" paid for by us. So, a question for you. Why is it A-OK for America to commit an Act of War on a Sovereign Nation, but if a nation did it to us it wouldn't be OK?
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  • Cbrew wrote...
    CldWtrSrf - So you believe it's okay for China to...
    February 20, 2013 10:28 am
    steal, not only Our state secrets, but our independent companie's Intellectual property not to mention dozens of other country's throughout the world? It's okay for China to steal Intellectual property from businesses around the world because the US and Israel have utilized cyberwarfare against rogue states? You're an idiot CldWtrSrf a complete idiot, I wish i could tell you that to your face, you're the dumbest mo fo i've ever heard of.
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  • CldWtrSrf wrote...
    Don't be stupid Cbrew...
    February 25, 2013 12:55 pm
    I never said that it was OK. I'm just asking why it's OK for America to do it but not other nations? That sounds like what you are saying.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Poor choice of photo to lead this post, Mr. Ross
    February 20, 2013 8:32 am
    Most people aren't entirely familiar with the appearance of the Chinese flag. It takes a moment of close examination to realize that the photo of these two flags is taken at a bizarre angle and that the two flags are displayed on a common, horizontal bar. As it is, it looks almost like the Chinese flag has been hoisted *above* the US flag, and far worse, that the US flag is being flown upside down (the international symbol for distress). I assume that was the photographer's intention, and if so- well done by him or her. Still, the photo seems unnecessarily disrespectful to our flag. It would have been better to use something else.
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  • messiah101 wrote...
    Does anybody believe that the USA does not hack foreign computers?
    February 20, 2013 9:46 am
    You guys seem a bit naive (as usual) countries spy on each other ,Allies spy on each other,business spy's on other business.FYI just because this security tracked many of the attacks to 1 building that was owned by the Chinese Military does not mean the spying was done by the Chinese government. The Chinese Military is one of the largest owners of property in China and operates as in a landlord relationship with may Chinese as well as western business's
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Comrade Obama has no reason to distrust his fraternal socialist brethren,
    February 20, 2013 10:02 am
    so your Dear leader have no reason to order our nation's security services to hack into Red China's computers.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    Messiah, you're naive
    February 20, 2013 10:17 am
    The building they linked this to, is a Chinese military building... they are a group that was rumored to be into cyberwarfare, they have simply confirmed what many in the National Security field have already stated... China is hacking computers in the US on purpose, they aren't only attacking our Federal Agencies they are also attacking companies in the US. There's an example, Coke was trying to purchase a Chinese juice company i believe in 09, Chinese hackers from this group hacked into their company's network, stole Coke's plans for acquiring the company and then the Chinese Government blocked the sale to Coke... The ties are obvious, the Chinese Government is taking advantage of both our Company's Intellectual Property and our Federal Government, research and Development etc. and that is stealing you moron... we're not out there stealing Chinese tech they are stealing ours... it's illegal, it's virtually an act of war and we should go after them for it.
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  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Hey Chuckie.
    February 20, 2013 9:59 am
    Blame Democrats? Who is in the White House and controls the Senate? And who is it who STILLblames Bush for the successes of your Dear Leader Obama?

    This is not hard. Don't give yourself a headache.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    It's me! Ha Ha! - I think what Chuck is getting at is....
    February 20, 2013 10:07 am
    You tend to ignore the faults and problems created by Republicans. Sure Dem's blame Bush far too much... but why are the able to? Bush wasn't all that great as a President, I mean, I'm not saying everything he did was terrible, but he made a lot of mistakes and i think even he would admit that now...
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  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    I know this cbrew.
    February 20, 2013 10:54 am
    But when people on the left STILL blame Bush after 4 years of Obama I have a BIG problem with that!

    Don't get me wrong here! I know the GOP is in trouble and how the Left is capitalizing on it. But I don't complain down to them I try to do something about it!

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  • Cbrew wrote...
    There are far too many Traitors to the United States running around this country as "citizens"
    February 20, 2013 10:32 am
    Look at Messiah101 and CldWtrSrf... Look around at posts all over the internet, so many morons out there demonizing the United States and blaming the US for all the problems in the world. This is the frustrating thing about Liberty, you have to let the traitors have their rights too, If it weren't for our founding fathers who these traitors insult every day, they would be drug out in the street and shot. They take advantage of the liberties they have been given just so they can run around attacking the country that brought them this freedom. I just wish we could export idiots like this... you're the vermin that degrade our society.
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  • sometimesrock wrote...
    re: cbrew
    February 20, 2013 10:58 am
    sarcasm? I sure hope so. "Exporting" people who don't agree with something the US does is more aligned with socialism or communism. So if you had your way, they would be traitors? Sounds like you would fit right in over in North Korea!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    Sometimesrock - In some respects...
    February 20, 2013 1:11 pm
    it's sarcasm, I'm not saying that we should have a policy of exporting people that disagree with the Government, I know that this country is founded on the principles of free speech etc. I'm just saying that there are people that don't just disagree with our Government, they downright act like they hate this country... People like Messiah and Cldwtrsrf ... they are pathetic, they sit here and criticize the US Government for things and defend the actiosn of a Government like China which is a completely oppressive Government... A Government that sat back and watched 20 million people starve to death only a few decades ago, and their reasoning was that for some to prosper the many must suffer... These rediculous human beings like Messiah and CldWtrSrf sit back here in the luxury and safety of the US and bash our country and support THAT... Support THE COMMUNISTS... They should be exported in my opinion. That doesn't make me a fackin communist that means i love this country and i reject the traitors in this country that are so facking stupid they don't even realize how good they have it.
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  • Saltchucker wrote...
    I wouldn't call them traitors.
    February 20, 2013 11:30 am
    I'd call 'em brainwashed. Gulled by left leaning educators, and a school system that has given up on teaching civics.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    CBREW
    February 20, 2013 1:16 pm
    So I'm a "traitor for saying that there are TWO or more sides to EVERYTHING.Good grief you seem to enjoy being spoon fed B/S that ONLY gives 1 side (because you want to validate your ignorance)Look at the total picture STUPID instead of taking the narrow view that you take at this time.Are you actually denying that the USA is NOT responsible for most of the problems that exist in todays world?Tell me how many countries have N Korea,Iraq,Iran,Afghanistan invaded over the past 60 years? How many LEGAL governments has the USA been involved in overthrowing and how many Murdering heads of state has the USA assisted in keeping in power over that same time span?
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  • Cbrew wrote...
    Messiah101 - You're not a traitor for Saying that there are 2 sides to everything
    February 20, 2013 2:25 pm
    You're a facking traitor for always taking the side against the United States. I don't take a narrow view of the world on the contrary unlike you i take a wholistic view of the world and realize our place in it. Furthermore your knowledge of history is pretty pathetic - North Korea was a puppet regime created and funded by the Soviets and we fought for the Democratic society in that country during a time when Soviet Russia was bent on world domination through proxy regimes in foreign country's same with Vietnam. Yet you blame the US for that, because what? because you SUPPORT the way Communist Governments control, murder, terrorize their own people? You're a fool!!! Iraq invaded Iran and Kuwait you idiot, they also launched Scuds on Israel our ally, Afghanistan didn't invade us but they did support a terrorist organization that MURDERED 3000 of our OWN CITIZENS YOU FOOL!!! You're so stupid you don't even know history and you're so hell bent against hte United States you're basically a facking traitor!!! The US didn't invade Kuwait, Iraq did, The US didn't Launch suicidal maniacs in Airliners into civilian targets in NY AL QUAIDA did!!! Iran has openly supported Hezbollah and Hamas who launch rockets into Israel they are fighting a proxy war with Israel and have for decades... You're the biggest facking fool on the planet Messiah, do us all a favor and move to China you facking communist nobody wants you here. You just like to blame the US because you're too facking stupid to understand the way the world is outside these borders. What terrorist communist sympathizer do you get your information from?
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  • messiah101 wrote...
    CBREW
    February 20, 2013 8:33 pm
    No one on the airliners that flew into the WTC were from Afghanistan and I don't believe any were from Iraq either.You DO understand that we aided Iraq in its invasion of Iran even to the point of supplying them with WMD.And Iraq invaded Kuwait because not only was Kuwait stealing oil from Iraq but an American diplomat had signaled to Iraq that the USA was OK with Iraq attacking . Its interesting that when I tell you FACTs that disagree with your jaded sense of history that you believe I'm against the USA or that I'm a traitor,what absolute idiotic logic. You simply can't handle the truth can you?Where did I say the USA invaded Kuwait you IDIOT?
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  • Cbrew wrote...
    Messiah you ARE a complete idiot
    February 21, 2013 7:31 am
    "no one from Afghanistan flew into the WTC" You absolute moron, the people that took those planes hostage did so on orders from Osama Bin Laden who was living and operating out of Afghanistan, seriously how stupid are you? you have to be one of the dumbest people alive. and Holy CRAP are you stupid, America signaled it was okay for iraq to invade Kuwait? Where in the facking world do you get your information? You've got to be the biggest facking tweaker on the planet you seriously need to get off the Meth!!! just because you hear a story from a conspiracy theory nutjob doesn't mean it's true you moron... in fact, 99% of the time, conspiracy theories are facking jokes and only people dumb enough... only the lowest common denominators in society (You) believe them.
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  • messiah101 wrote...
    CBREW
    February 22, 2013 8:35 am
    I have an idea for you why not research something before looking like a total fool by commenting on something you seem to know nothing about. I'll give you a starting point google US Ambassador April Glaspie.Seems OBL was in Pakistan and even if he was in Afghanistan does that mean you invade the entire country?Good Grief STUPID most of the hi jackers were from Saudi.Sounds as if you didn't research why Hussein invaded Kuwait you seem to simply follow the party line. How does it feel to be led around by the nose?
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  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    Scanned
    February 20, 2013 11:03 am
    A lot of these intrusions are not even hacks our networks THAT unsecured.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    It's not a matter of being hacked in most cases....
    February 20, 2013 3:13 pm
    It's a matter of social engineering... Often their attacks are simple, they send an official looking e-mail to someone or many folks in the same agency and somebody unknowingly opens and releases malicious software... this is used more often than actually trying to "break through" the security in our networks... essentially it's like this... why try to Ram through a reinforced steel wall when you can get someone to open the gate for you? ... unfortunately they've been fairly successful.
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  • hpitantso wrote...
    When Clinton left office
    February 20, 2013 5:02 pm
    There was no IOU to China
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