NSA Broke Into North Korea's Internet Before Sony Hack: Report

The National Security Agency -- also known as the NSA -- tapped into North Korea’s computer network in 2010, long before the attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment in November, the New York Times reported exclusively. The U.S. was able to pinpoint North Korea as the culprit responsible for the Sony hack since it was familiar with the DPRK’s Internet operation.

But the U.S. didn’t break into the computer system of Kim Jong Un’s government without help. South Korea and other allies aided America, the Times said, citing an NSA document along with former U.S. and foreign officials.

President Barack Obama blamed North Korea for the Sony hack. He had “no doubt” North Korea was responsible because the information came through “early warning radar,” the Times said.

“The speed and certainty with which the United States made its determinations about North Korea told you that something was different here -- that they had some kind of inside view,” James A. Lewis, a cyberwarfare expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, told the Times. “Attributing where attacks come from is incredibly difficult and slow.”

When American whistleblower Edward Snowden leaked information about the NSA to media outlets in June 2013, the country had mixed feelings about whether the U.S. government should monitor their personal communications in the search for potential threats, the Washington Post reported Saturday. A Washington Post-ABC News poll released Sunday indicates twice as many Americans are willing to give up their privacy to protect themselves from potential terror threats as those who oppose the surveillance. The study queried 1,003 adults Jan. 12-15. It had a margin of error of 3.5 points.

When it comes to privacy versus protection, young adults are the most confused. They are split with 48 percent saying threats should be investigated and 47 percent saying privacy should be put first. However, when it comes to senior citizens the divide is drastically different: 75 percent of people more than 65 years of age say threats should be examined.

Snowden, who sought asylum in Russia, released documents indicating Chinese spies stole 50 terabytes of data, including information about the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The Chinese were reportedly able to use data stolen from American intelligence to create "fifth-generation" fighter that could threaten the dominance the U.S. holds in the skies.

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