Remember when 15 percent of the world’s Internet traffic, including U.S. government traffic, was redirected through Chinese servers?
Well, apparently that was just an effort by Beijing to censor or maybe spy on its own people, not a genuinely malicious effort to steal any one’s data. At least, that’s what a DHS official said this morning.
“As I understand it, the redirection has been reported as a glitch in attempt to institute some controls within China,” said Greg Schaffer, assistant secretary for cybersecurity and communications at DHS’ National Protection and Programs Directorate, said during a breakfast with reporters in Washington.
“I have no indications otherwise,” said Schaffer when asked if he believed the reports describing the whole incident as just a “glitch.”
So, the rerouting of reams of traffic through the servers of a rising power had nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with cyber espionage. Sure it didn’t.










{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
"whoops, our bad…"
Chinese to US: "We were only trying to spy on our people, just so happens we spied on you instead. Our bad."
Must have been a mega typo error.
I was going to say…. "the rerouting of reams of traffic through the servers of a rising power had nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with cyber espionage."
Well…not against espionage on *you* anyway. That's a different department. Should we transfer your call?
Ok does anyone think that an adversary as talented as China – when it comes to cyber attacks – would leave " indications " that is was done on purpose?
Now DHS is in on the conspiricy too.
Someone throw Kevin a life-raft the man is drowning.
Damage has already been done. Just downplay it. Close your eyes and everything will be ok.
Maybe its time to change our(USA) software to Mac or Unix platform.
Mam user spoted, but seriously why change, the other two you mentioned are equally and infact in some ways even more vulnerable.
I work with a design firm in Jeddah, SKA way back in the 90's for several years. We use satelite IBM UNIX server and UNIX platform. Never in my entire life experience had there been any hacker or virus attacks. Same in Mac. It's been proven.
Probably the chinese were using mirror method and virus link on thier manufactured products like virus infected memory reader w/c was marketed internationally thats why they can direct the internet traffic to China and in some cases hack international confidential info. I believe they can do this because they now have a super computer.
So, they actually bought the "it was a glitch, sorry, won't happen again line" ?? How utterly toothless. But as I have said many times the US can be attacked via cyberspace with no comeback whatsoever.
China got caught, the US didn't.
Just because something bad happens on the Internet, doesn’t make it cyber espionage.
i think we should just bring our manufacturing base back (in the usa, can or mexico maybe even) and then bomb the hell out of them
I am going to try and balance my checkbook, so don't be surprised when 15% of your money is routed through my account. ;-)
This is unbelievable… just like how every time there is a "terrorist bombing attempt" at an airport that they DON'T CATCH. We get punished. At a certain point people need to wake up and realize that our freedoms do not need to be compromised due to others incompetence. If our government can't start doing a better job maybe it's time to reconsider what we've done with it. And contrary to what DHS wants you to believe we as the citizens are still the OWNERS of this country and we have the ability to take it back any time we wish (For Now). It might be time to jerk the leash a little bit and let those with Cushy government jobs and insurance plans that WE DECIDE what goes NOT THEM.
Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to spy on you. I was actually trying to spy in my backyard.
That's a pretty darn lame excuse if you ask me.
How are you people up in arms about this, but have no problem with carnivore or the NSA splitter rooms?
Americans are just as brainwashed as the Chicoms, but they're less likely to admit it.
Im sure China can use this info on future dealings with US alone & we lose.
Thanks DHS, & we thought WikiLeaks was bad.
Most hackers were Software Engineers. They mostly studied and specialize in microsoft softwares and programming . I think it is best for the military to have a different platform than microsoft. A platform that is not yet introduce to the public for secure its data and controls.