Oops: Chinese hackers revealed their identities — by logging into Facebook
This where the hackers may have gotten themselves into trouble. To be totally safe, a Chinese hacker would log out of the servers used for cyber-espionage (and allegedly sponsored by the Chinese military) before logging into a separate, more low-key VPN that he or she could use to access U.S.-based social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Instead of following that procedure, according to Mandiant, some of the hackers got lazy. “The easiest way for them to log into Facebook and Twitter is directly from their attack infrastructure,” the company’s report explains. “Once noticed, this is an effective way to discover their real identities.” When the hacker uses the “attack” servers to log in to Twitter or Facebook, he or she unintentionally links the espionage servers with specific Facebook and Twitter accounts — in other words, with specific human beings.
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Now what, corrupt cops in a corrupt nation will arrest them?
Yeah ok.
Bishop on February 20, 2013 at 2:19 PM
Out source to the mob to hand out the punishment.
Oil Can on February 20, 2013 at 2:22 PM
HA HA HA. Now that is really funny.
I am constantly baffled by the dumb things people do on the intertubes.
Jabberwock on February 20, 2013 at 2:23 PM
Great. Thanks for letting them know we are aware of their mistakes so they don’t make them in the future.
Fezzik on February 20, 2013 at 2:24 PM
Disappeared on short notice.
Help wanted signs up soon.
Jabberwock on February 20, 2013 at 2:26 PM
D’oh !
jake-the-goose on February 20, 2013 at 2:37 PM
Those guys better watch out for Tom Friedman driving a van around their neighborhood.
/
Christien on February 20, 2013 at 2:39 PM
+1000
NavyMustang on February 20, 2013 at 2:39 PM
Gee- do you think these hackers will be so lazy next time? Why are they publishing this info?
ramrants on February 20, 2013 at 2:39 PM
+1
El_Terrible on February 20, 2013 at 2:40 PM
Oh come on. There is no way such a basic mistake was not noticed.
All traffic from that building was CLOSELY monitered by the PLA.
Anyway, at that point, the damage was done. No benefit in hiding it.
The Chinese will need to do a serious regrouping after this.
Jabberwock on February 20, 2013 at 2:54 PM
Facebook destroys the privacy of even professional government hired hackers. What chance do any of us have?
Fairly good, for me… by staying the hell away from Facebook.
Gingotts on February 20, 2013 at 2:57 PM
Fixed.
Christien on February 20, 2013 at 2:59 PM
April Fool’s Day is coming up soon. Hopefully, the good guys will get really creative.
Christien on February 20, 2013 at 3:02 PM
Oh, I am sure something wicked their way will go.
Not sure what it will be. Not smart enough.
If done correctly, we’ll never hear about it.
Jabberwock on February 20, 2013 at 3:09 PM
Perhaps, but where’s the fun in that.
Christien on February 20, 2013 at 3:13 PM
If we know it, they know it.
The fun is not getting caught.
Ask the poor sap that used the “attack server” to get on Facebook.
Jabberwock on February 20, 2013 at 3:22 PM
You are probably right but the story doesn’t say that they have since noticed and put a stop to it. They certainly didn’t notice right away or it would’ve been limited to one person. The story makes it sound like they were able to identify multiple people.
Fezzik on February 20, 2013 at 3:24 PM
It is time to declare cyber war on the Chinese.
The U.S. government should give out Letters of marque to cyber privateers (U.S. hackers) that they can steal anything they like in cyber warfare as long as it is Chinese owned (both government and private enterprise).
That should bring about cyber peace quickly.
William Eaton on February 20, 2013 at 3:54 PM
I didn’t know Wo Fat and Fu Manchu were still around…
viking01 on February 20, 2013 at 4:10 PM
Why are they leaking this info?
besser tot als rot on February 20, 2013 at 4:57 PM
That was my thought as well… Then I remembered that the entire Obamanation Administration are Chinese Marxist wannabe’s.
SWalker on February 20, 2013 at 5:05 PM