Russia Behind Olympics Cyberattack: Officials

Spies tried to make it appear as if North Korea was behind attack, officials say
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 25, 2018 12:13 PM CST
Russian Spies Hacked Olympics: Officials
North Korea's Jong Su Hyon, and South Korea's Park Jong-ah carry the torch during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Friday, Feb. 9, 2018.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The Pyeongchang Olympics were hacked—by Russian spies who tried to make it look as though the hacking was the work of North Korean spies, sources tell the Washington Post. South Korean officials have acknowledged a cyberattack hit the games during the Opening Ceremonies, causing disruptions to the internet and broadcast systems that resulted in empty seats at the ceremony when attendees couldn't print their tickets. But they have not confirmed who was responsible. US officials say it was Russia, and analysts believe it was likely retaliation after the International Olympic Committee banned the Russian team from the games over doping violations. (Some Russian athletes were allowed to compete as individuals.)

Hundreds of computers used by authorities at the games were affected in the false-flag operation, the sources say; routers in South Korea were also hacked last month and malware was deployed on the day the games began. Private-sector analysts had already said there were signs Russia was targeting the 2018 games, and Russia has a history of similar "active measures" against Olympic Games. See the Post for more, including what the move might mean. (More Russian spies stories.)

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