Hunting the hackers

Business > Telecommunications

The strange case of PM Yingluck's Twitter account drives home the importance of information security

Published: 5/10/2011 at 03:50 AM
Newspaper section: Business

The hacking of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's Twitter account has taught yet another lesson to public figures and ordinary citizens alike regarding information security, particularly their passwords.

CLOCKWISEFROMTOPRIGHT: Twitter offers many options for users who have trouble with their accounts. However, hackers can post nasty messages, such as those questioning how the premier could run the country when she can’t manage her own Twitter account.

The case also exposes weaknesses in the way Thailand's security experts and related authorities deal with hacking.

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About the author

: Writer: Suchit Leesa-nguansuk; Position: Reporter

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bonzo
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Discussion 9 : 05/10/2011 at 04:07 PM9
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He also said the biggest challenge facing Thailand is the lack of an international law that requires global service providers such as Twitter and Facebook to disclose their online data traffic in the event of a hacking incident.

Is this security “expert” honestly suggesting that organizations such as Twitter should log every single data packet, worldwide, just in case someone’s password gets compromised?

And is that really the biggest challenge facing Thailand?

The mind boggles.
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ziancom
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Discussion 8 : 05/10/2011 at 02:51 PM8
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I'm wondering if Hacker didn't confess today, Is ICT still be able to publish a story?

I don't think ICT really knows who is real Hacker for this case :)
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hillfarang
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Discussion 7 : 05/10/2011 at 02:46 PM7
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I agree with bkkfarang... these so-called "social media sites" are not controlled in Thailand by Thais. Therefore, they are dangerous and should NOT be used for official government communication within Thailand.

Set up a Thai-based system and save the twitters, etc. for personal use.
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john49
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Discussion 6 : 05/10/2011 at 11:49 AM6
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who cares!!!!
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dao
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Discussion 5 : 05/10/2011 at 09:27 AM5
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I,m pretty sure the PM has better things to do than twitter all day long .I,m also sure most of the poor that she claims to want to help so much dont use twitter .
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lazar
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Discussion 4 : 05/10/2011 at 09:02 AM4
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"DSI investigators led by Pol Col Yannapol Youngyuen are working with Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Minister Anudith Nakornthap to track down and arrest the perpetrator".
"He listed two possible scenarios behind the hacking attack _ an insider with access to the necessary password, or a hacker skilled at acquiring passwords"

Strange choice of words (phrases) for one who told us they know who did it as soon as this story broke.
If its such an important national security issue lets see some public details on the hacker, ie: Name and address and photos.
They can even have the TV news stations broadcast this info nationwide (I'm sure they wouldn't mind) al la "Crimestoppers" and "America's most wanted"
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bikeme
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Discussion 3 : 05/10/2011 at 08:51 AM3
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As a public figure, she will always be the target of hackers, but that is not a reason to avoid using social media to connect with the people of Thailand. Yingluck and/or her staff just need to be more vigilant, changing her passwords on a weekly basis.
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 2 : 05/10/2011 at 07:07 AM2
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“…the lack of an international law that requires global service providers such as Twitter and Facebook to disclose their online data traffic…”
Since when is it required for Thai politicians to use Twitter, Facebook and other non Thai services? How about a Thailand based web page with frequent updates and maybe some Thai Apps for people who can’t wait?
If Yingluck and her Friends like to see her face on Facebook she can still have a private account there and publish her latest holiday and family pictures for all who really want to see them.
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 1 : 05/10/2011 at 07:04 AM1
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So now it was not an insider anymore but someone hacked the PMs e-mail account to be able to hack her twitter account. How did the hacking of the e-mail account work? Did someone hack another account somewhere?
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Hunting the hackers | Bangkok Post: business