If the web sites of the Treasury Department, the Secret Service and even the Federal Trade Commission can be knocked out of commission or messed with by some sophisticated, well organized hackers, I hate to think what they could do with the financial system in general, the black boxes of companies like Goldman Sachs, and even my juniors. Egads! What next.

The news is getting some headlines at least on Yahoo. I wonder if the talking heads will be given the green light to discuss it or muzzle it.

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Government Web sites attacked; N. Korea suspected

Massive cyber attack affects government Web sites in US, S. Korea; N. Korea suspected

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A widespread computer attack that began July 4 knocked out the Web sites of the Treasury Department, the Secret Service and other U.S. government agencies, according to officials inside and outside the government.

Sites in South Korea were also affected, and South Korean intelligence officials believe the attack was carried out by North Korean or pro-Pyongyang forces.

The U.S. government Web sites, which also included those of the Federal Trade Commission and the Transportation Department, were all down at varying points over the holiday weekend and into this week. South Korean Internet sites began experiencing problems Tuesday.

U.S. officials refused to publicly discuss details of the cyber attack.