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Russia gives North internet


PYONGYANG, North Korea - In a move that cybersecurity experts believe could give Pyongyang greater capability to conduct cyber attacks, Russian state-owned company TransTeleCom has provided a new internet connection to Kim Jong Un's regime.

The new connection was revealed by North Korea monitoring project 38 North and cybersecurity experts too confirmed the new Russian link.

Experts believe that the move strengthens North Korea's cybersecurity capabilities at a time of heightened tensions with the U.S. -- and also reduces its reliance on China.

According to experts, North Korean internet traffic was previously funnelled through one sole link, provided by Chinese telecommunications firm China Unicom.

The new backup from Russia comes at a time when the U.S. is ramping up pressure on Chinese companies to sever business ties with North Korea over its intensifying missile and nuclear tests.

Martyn Williams who wrote from 38 North and runs the website North Korea Tech said, "This new link means two companies would have to cut business to cut the country off. As TransTeleCom just started under the current situation, it's presumably not too worried about doing business."

In a brief statement, TransTeleCom said that it has telecommunications links with North Korea under a deal signed in 2009 but refused to elaborate.

More importantly, the new internet connection boosts North Korea's cybersecurity strength.

Bryce Boland, a cybersecurity expert with FireEye said, "By increasing the number of internet connections in and out of the country, it increases its resilience to attacks.”

Over the weekend, the U.S. Cyber Command carried out an operation attacking hackers affiliated with North Korea's military spy agency.

In recent years, North Korea has been blamed by Western governments for several major cyber attacks, including against banks and Sony Pictures, as well as the WannaCry ransomware attack that froze computers in over 100 countries unless their owners sent cash.

Pyongyang has however denied any involvement.

Now, cybersecurity experts claim that with Russia involved in North Korea's internet, things could get more complicated.

Attacks against North Korean hackers or computer servers could now travel through Russia's internet infrastructure.

TransTeleCom reportedly has fiber optic cables that follow all the country’s main train lines, including up to the North Korean border.

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