Alleged Chinese hackers target Vietnamese

This information was provided by Ngo Tuan Anh, deputy director of the Bkav company’s cyber security division.

Anh told Viet Nam News yesterday that there were two key methods of hacking, comprising distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) and attacking servers to obtain passwords or changing websites’ interfaces.

“IT staff are now required to check on all systems and closing unnecessary ports. During this period, they should keep monitoring everything. If any extraordinary change occurs, they will have to cut the systems out of the Internet to lower the risk of being attacked. Besides, they need to prepare information on security firms to contact for help if necessary,” Anh said. 

All the websites hacked in Vietnam belonged to small enterprises and individuals. Many of them do not realise that they are under attack, even though their websites show signs of being hacked. 

Anh noted that these were only separate attacks carried out by some hacker groups. 

“The targets of hacking are small firms and agencies, so a cyber war has not taken place. We hope the cyber community will calm down because if it is true, then both the sides will suffer losses,” Anh added. “However, we are always ready to respond to the worst situation that might occur.”

The attacks are taking place at a time when Vietnam has taken a stand against China’s illegal placement of its Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.