<![CDATA[Thailand Forums - Thai TV, Internet & Technology]]> http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/ Anything to do with technology in Thailand including Internet, blogging, computers, mobile phones, satellites, photography etc. en-USA Fri, 24 May 2013 05:42:13 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/images/misc/rss.png <![CDATA[Thailand Forums - Thai TV, Internet & Technology]]> http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/ Hackers Eager to Exploit Holes in Thai Cyberspace Security http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43823-Hackers-Eager-to-Exploit-Holes-in-Thai-Cyberspace-Security&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 08:26:07 GMT Hackers Eager to Exploit Holes in Thai Cyberspace Security

BANGKOK – The recent hacking of the prime minister’s website set off alarm bells among the government’s security watchdogs, but there are hundreds of well-trained hackers lurking in cyberspace ready to strike ill-prepared local networks.

And while Yingluck Shinawatra suffered little more than a few derogatory comments being posted about her, professional hackers are reaping huge financial rewards estimated to cost consumers worldwide over US$100 billion (2.9 trillion baht) annually. Prinya Hom-anake, founder of ACIS Professional Centre, an IT security training company, said such attacks are more common than many might believe.
A total of 2,960 local websites were hacked from September 2012 to last January, of which 1,250 were government sites

”Hacking nowadays is pervasive, particularly as automated hacking tools make it simple,” Mr Prinya said.

A local hacker said hundreds of people in Thailand in recent years have undergone technical training in cyber security.

”There’s no doubt that among the people who have studied computers and network security, some act as hackers, both for good and bad,” he said.

The hacker community, which traces its roots back to the start of the computer age, differentiates among hackers based on experience, expertise and intent. ”White hat hackers”, for instance, break into security systems for testing on behalf of government agencies or computer security companies.

On the other side are ”black hat hackers”, who will penetrate computer systems out of malice or for personal gain, either on their own or at the behest of other parties.

The popular stereotype of a hacker is an isolated, introverted computer geek whose life is spent primarily in front of computer monitors and hardware while immersed in a virtual world.

”It’s not so far from the truth,” said one hacker who refused to be identified.

He said, however, collaboration among hackers was commonplace, with many affiliated with specific online groups or social communities.

A hacker takes pride in finding new ”exploits” (ways to compromise systems), which then are disseminated quickly among peers to maximise gains before the loophole is closed by the target.

”Sometimes you work in pairs, and sometimes you work as part of a large collective,” he said.

One of the most prominent hacking groups goes by the name Anonymous, a collective of hackers from around the world that in recent years has claimed responsibility for cyber attacks against targets such as the Church of Scientology, the Recording Industry Association of America, the US Copyright Office and even online payment provider Paypal.

Mr Prinya, who describes himself as a white hat hacker and teaches hacking techniques to corporate clients to help them guard against cyberattacks, said there are two major underground hacker groups operating in Thailand, both with hundreds of followers.

The ”Unlimited Hack Team” was founded by Cambodian hackers and has since grown to include several hundred Thais, while the other group is called ”Stephack” and is led by four to five key leaders, with hundreds of followers.

Among the hundreds of websites hacked by the Unlimited Hack Team was Channel 3, which saw its website hacked with a banner asking, ”Where is my Nua Mek?”, after the television station decided to abruptly terminate the popular serial Nua Mek 2.CYBERSTRIKE ON PM’S OFFICE

Pol Maj Gen Pisit Paoin, head of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, said on Tuesday that the Unlimited Hack Team and another group, StepHack, were suspected in the attack on the PM’s Office website.

Last Sunday, Narongrit Suksarn, known online by the handle Lek Window 98se, reported to police investigators after being named as a suspect in the attack. Mr Narongrit, 29, denied any responsibility, but said he may have been smeared by Unlimited Hack after he left the hacking group.

According to the Technology Crime Suppression Division, Mr Narongrit had hacked into the PM’s Office website three days before the actual attack. Pol Maj Gen Pisit said he was suspected of sharing information about the PM’s Office computer system with other hackers, which was then used to carry out the actual attack smearing Ms Yingluck. Other members of the Unlimited Hack Team would be called in for questioning, said Pol Maj Gen Pisit, and the technology crime division has also asked its Cambodian counterparts for help in investigating other members of the group.

Mr Prinya, who has in the past collaborated with state agencies in investigating cyberattacks, said Lek Window 98se was an experienced hacker who certainly has the skills to have accomplished the attack.

He said hackers delight in testing their knowledge and skills against web or system administrators.

Within the underground hacking community, exploits are seen as badges of honour, and the two main local hacking groups compete against each other in hack attacks, no different than players in a video game. Both also earn money and gain followers by offering ”hacking” courses, post tips on vulnerabilities specific to certain websites or computer systems and even offer their services for hire to conduct denial of service attacks to shut access to websites of targets.

”The members of these underground hacking groups range from high school or college students to young workers in their mid-20s,” Mr Prinya said.

Hacking once was the province of computer specialists with technical understanding of programming languages and computer networks. Many were not motivated by malicious intent or the prospect of financial gain, but rather sought to test their own skills and knowledge against the security of a computer system or network, which in the early days of computing were run almost universally by academic institutions or research labs.

But the exponential growth in computing since the development of personal computers in the 1980s and the world wide web in the 1990s has raised the rewards of hacking to an entirely different level. Last week, authorities in New York announced that a group of cyberthieves were able to steal $45 million from ATM machines in 27 countries, including Thailand, by hacking into a database of prepaid debit cards to remove withdrawal limits set by banks. Over 20 suspects were arrested locally in connection with the scam, from Bulgaria, Bangladesh and Eastern Europe, said Pol Maj Gen Pisit.

Symantec, a leading computer security company, estimated in 2012 that cybercrime costs consumers $110 billion per year, including outright fraud, theft and the cost of prevention.

Local banks say the use of ”phishing” scams have increased locally with the growth of internet and mobile banking. In a typical scam, a user will receive an innocuous email or text message purportedly from their local bank asking them for their account number and password. Once inputed, it can be a matter of just seconds before your entire bank account is emptied.

A simple Google search for hacking tools can lead to any number of software programmes that can be used to break security on mobile phones, crack passwords or bypass copyright restrictions on software, e-books or movies. With a bit more research, or by joining any number of online hacking forums, an amateur hacker can quickly learn how to break in to a website or computer server.

Mr Prinya said there are hundreds of sophisticated, automated hacking tools available that allow neophytes to attack hundreds of websites within minutes.

But while these programmes may work against poorly maintained or misconfigured systems, successful attacks against more hardened targets are still mostly led by professional hackers skilled in programming languages such as Perl, Python, Ruby and PHP.

Mr Prinya said there are 10 popular techniques often used by hackers, with the most popular one, known as SQL injection, being the technique used to hack the PM’s Office. Hackers will also use anonymity tools and pre-paid phones to disguise or hide their identity and prevent authorities from tracing the source of an attack.

”Thai government websites are very weak, from a security perspective. Their vulnerability makes them easy to hack and so they are an attractive target,” he said.

Most government websites are designed through outsourcing contracts, with little testing of security and vulnerabilities.

”The government needs to change its mindset regarding information security. Websites, applications and systems need to be designed with security in mind,” Mr Prinya said.

He suggested that an agency be established with responsibility over information security. Authorities also need to have a ”cyber army” capable of defending _ or initiating _ cyber attacks against the country’s enemies, similar to agencies in the US, China, South Korea and other countries. ”And Thailand definitely needs to build up its security expertise. Otherwise the government will never be able to catch hackers, even the amateurs,” Mr Prinya said.
By Suchit Leesa-Nguansuk and Komsan Tortermvasana

CHIANG RAI TIMES ]]> Khun Don http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43823-Hackers-Eager-to-Exploit-Holes-in-Thai-Cyberspace-Security <![CDATA['Short circuit' blew up iPhone 5]]> http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43805-Short-circuit-blew-up-iPhone-5&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 19:53:21 GMT 'Short circuit' blew up iPhone 5

Published: 14 May 2013 at 18.31
Online news: Local News

The recent explosion of an iPhone 5 owned by a Thai user was caused by a small screw found stuck under the device’s battery tray, according to an investigation supervised by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and concluded on Tuesday.

NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasit said the presence of the screw was a mystery, since it was not one of the iPhone 5’s orginal parts. It penetrated into the phone’s battery and caused a short circuit, leading to the explosion, he said

501048.jpg


A video by MCOT displayed the phone after the explosion.

The probe, which examined the phone after it blew up, also found pentagram screws on the phone's outer case were not in their original positions. Investigators concluded the back cover of the device had already been opened or removed by a third party, using tools not approved and required by the Apple warranty.

The NBTC issued its statement after receiving a preliminary report on the the results of an examination by Exponent, a US compay specialising in inspection services of mobile phones. Exponent was appointed by Apple South Asia (Thailand), the main distributor of iPhones.

On March 11, businessman Suwicha Uasomsaksakul, 34, lodged a complaint at the Don Muang police station after his iPhone 5 overheated and exploded. He said he had narrowly escaped injury.

Mr Suwicha said he had been speaking with a friend on the phone for about 30 seconds when the device suddenly became too hot to handle, and began emitting smoke. He threw it to the ground, where it exploded four times.

Apple South Asia told the NBTC it will formally submit the Exponent inspection report and the remains of the iPhone 5 to the NBTC. The agency will carry out its own inspection and issue a further announcement to the public, Mr Takorn said.

Mr Suwicha said he bought the phone from an Advanced Info Service (AIS) store in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao district about two months before it blew up. AIS offered him a new phone to replace the damaged one.

BANGKOK POST
Attached Images
]]> Khun Don http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43805-Short-circuit-blew-up-iPhone-5 AIS 3G Available all over Chiang Mai Province http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43790-AIS-3G-Available-all-over-Chiang-Mai-Province&goto=newpost Fri, 10 May 2013 11:08:55 GMT *AIS 3G Available all over Chiang Mai Province* May 8, 2013 Lifestyle CityNews – On 7th May, at Three Kings Monument, Advance Info Service Public Limited Company (AIS) officially opened their new 3G service under the concept of ‘AIS 3G 2100... AIS 3G Available all over Chiang Mai Province
May 8, 2013
Lifestyle

CityNews – On 7th May, at Three Kings Monument, Advance Info Service Public Limited Company (AIS) officially opened their new 3G service under the concept of ‘AIS 3G 2100 World Class Standard.’

After receiving permission to provide 3G service from the Office of The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, AIS now provides 3G in 20 provinces including: Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakarn, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Pathom, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ayutthaya, Phetchaburi, Phuket, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Nakorn Sri Thammarat, Nakorn Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udorn Thani, Chonburi, Rayong and Phitsanulok.

Dulayadet Shinawatra, the director of AIS Chiang Mai branch, said “Thailand has stepped forward concerning technological services now that the 3G service 2100 MHz is provided.”

He added: “3G 2100 MHz is a world class standard. All mobile phones with 3G can use it, even if you are roaming. It is expected that there will be 15 million mobile internet users using AIS by the end of 2013.”

Hui Weng Cheong, chief Operating Officer of AIS, told the press that AIS had spent 70,000 million baht to expand the 3G service. Currently there are more than 5,000 3G stations that serve 10 million users around 20 major cities in Thailand he said, adding that at least 800 new 3G stations will be added every month. He believes that before the end of 2013 the 3G service will covere all 77 provinces of Thailand.


เอไอเอส เปิดตัว 3 G เต็มรูปแบบที่เชียงใหม่

เมื่อ 7 พฤษภาคม 56 ที่บริเวณอนุสาวรีย์สามกษัตริย์ เชียงใหม่ บริษัท แอดวานซ์ อินโฟ เซอร์วิส จำกัด (มหาชน) หรือ เอไอเอส ทำพิธีเปิดบริการ 3 G เต็มรูปแบบเป็นรายแรก ภายใต้แนวคิด “AIS 3 G 2100 ตัวจริงมาตรฐานโลก” ในเวลาพร้อมกันกับอีก 4 หัวเมืองทุกภูมิภาคทั่วไทย หลังจากที่ได้รับใบอนุญาตจาก กสทช.เพียง 4 เดือนและวางระบบเกือบเสร็จสมบูรณ์เป็นบริษัทแรกและเป ิดให้บริการในหัวเมือง 20 จังหวัดทุกภาคทั่วประเทศ ตั้งแต่ 7 พ.ค.56 ในพื้นที่ กรุงเทพ นนทบุรี ปทุมธานี สมุทรปราการ เชียงใหม่ เชียงราย นครปฐม ประจวบคีรีขันธ์ อยุทธยา เพชรบุรี ภูเก็ต สงขลา สุราษฎร์ธานี นครศรีธรรมราช นครราชสีมา ขอนแก่น อุดรธานี ชลบุรี ระยอง และพิษณุโลก

นายดุลยเดช ชินวัตร ผู้อำนวยการสำนักปฏิบัติการภูมิ ภาค-ภาคเหนือ บมจ.แอดวานซ์อินโฟร์เซอร์วิส กล่าวว่า วันนี้ประเทศไทยกำลังก้าวหน้าไปอีกขั้นจากการเริ่มเป ิดให้บริการอย่าวงเป็นทางการของ 3G บนคลื่น 2100 MHz ครั้งแรกที่เป็น3G บนคลื่นมาตรฐานโลก ภายใต้การมอบใบอนุญาตจาก กสทช.เมื่อปลายปีที่ผ่านมา

“3G บนคลื่น 2100 MHz นับเป็นมาตรฐานที่สหภาพโทรคมนาคมระหว่างประเทศ (International Telecommunication Union หรือ ITU) กำหนดขึ้น และทั่วโลกต่างใช้มาตรฐานนี้ในการให้บริการ 3G มาเป็นระยะเวลายาวนาน อีกทั้งไม่ต้องกังวลเรื่องการเลือกใช้โทรศัพท์มือถือ เพราะมือถือที่รองรับ 3G ทั้งหมดในตลาด สามารถรองรับ 3G 2100 MHz ได้ทันที รวมถึงการใช้งานระหว่างเดินทางต่างประเทศอย่างไม่ต้อ งกังวล เพราะเป็นมาตรฐานเดียวกันทั่วโลก และปริมาณความต้องการใช้งานของลูกค้าเอไอเอสที่ใช้ Mobile Internet จาก 12 ล้านราย ณ สิ้นปี 2555 จะเพิ่มเป็น 15 ล้านราย ณ สิ้นปี 2556 เมื่อ 3G เต็มรูปแบบเปิดให้บริการ”

ทางด้าน นายฮุย เว็ง ช็อง หัวหน้าผู้บริหารด้านปฎิบัติการ กล่าวว่า เอไอเอสเตียมงบประมาณไว้กว่า 70,000 ล้านบาท เพื่อขยายเครือข่ายอย่างรวดเร็วที่สุด และเร็วกว่าที่กำหนดไว้ของ กสชท.กว่า 2 ปี ขณะนี้มีกว่า 5,000 สถานีฐาน ที่สามารถรองรับลูกค้าได้ถึง 10 ล้านรายในบริเวณพื้นที่หัวเมือง 20 จังหวัดสำคัญของภูมิภาคทั่วประเทศ และทุกเดือนจะมีสถานีฐานเพิ่มขึ้นอย่างน้อย 800 แห่ง ซึ่งจะทำให้สามารถขยายครอบคลุมหัวเมือง 77 จังหวัดในสิ้นปี 2556 และจะครอบคลุมมากที่สุดในประเทศ ณ สิ้นปี 2557 แน่นอน

CHIANG MAI CITY NEWS ]]> Khun Don http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43790-AIS-3G-Available-all-over-Chiang-Mai-Province True Move launches 4G service http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43781-True-Move-launches-4G-service&goto=newpost Wed, 08 May 2013 09:56:46 GMT *True Move launches 4G service* The Nation May 8, 2013 1:15 pm (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/True-Move-launches-4G-service-30205669.html) True Move becomes the first mobile company to launch 4G service in Thailand, targeting to have... True Move launches 4G service
The Nation May 8, 2013 1:15 pm

True Move becomes the first mobile company to launch 4G service in Thailand, targeting to have at least 2,000 base stations by the end of this year.

The company’s executives said at a press conference on Wednesday that Internet speed in the first phase would be 4-5 times faster than the 3G service network’s. Within 2013, the service coverge will be extended to cover Bangkok city centres like Siam Square, Silom and Sathorn and 15 key provinces.

On the side, the company is expanding its 3G service. More base stations will be established this year, to boost the number to 21,000 at the end of this year. At present, the service - True Move H - is assistend by 13,000 base stations in 77 provinces. ]]> Khun Don http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43781-True-Move-launches-4G-service 3G service officially launched http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43777-3G-service-officially-launched&goto=newpost Tue, 07 May 2013 13:16:51 GMT 3G service officially launched

Published: 7 May 2013 at 18.39
Online news: Local News

Mobile phone operator Advanced Info Service (AIS) officially launched the first "real" third-generation mobile broadband service in Thailand on Tuesday.

The 3G service on the international standard 2.1-gigahertz frequency opened in Bangkok and 20 provinces on AIS' 5,000 3G base stations.

Third-ranked operator True Move will roll out its full commercial 3G service on the 2.1-GHz frequency on Wednesday and second-ranked Dtac will announce its plan on Thursday.

Upgrading to 3G service will allow users faster data transfer and provides improved voice clarity.

The three operators joined an auction on Oct 16, 2012, and paid 41.625 billion baht in total, just 2.78% above the reserve price for the spectrum. The auction sparked criticism and unproved charges of collusion, ending with court cases that included the regulator, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC).

All court cases failed, and licenses were issued in December. They are good until December 2027.

The three firms announced earlier they would spend a combined 130 billion baht on 3G network rollout, extended fully across the country within three years

AIS chief executive Wichian Mektrakarn said the company, through its subsidiary Advanced Wireless Network, spent just four months installing base stations in 20 main provinces, with enough capacity for 10 million users.

The 3G network will cover 70% of the country's population by the New Year, and 90% within a year under its 70-billion-baht 3G network expansion project, two years faster than the NBTC's requirements, Mr Wichian said.

Present 2G subscribers to the AIS network can keep their numbers if they upgrade to 3G service.

BANGKOK POST ]]> Khun Don http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43777-3G-service-officially-launched <![CDATA[Democrats blast Anudith's cyber-shutdown threat]]> http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43772-Democrats-blast-Anudith-s-cyber-shutdown-threat&goto=newpost Mon, 06 May 2013 12:47:49 GMT Democrats blast Anudith's cyber-shutdown threat

Published: 6 May 2013 at 15.56
Online news: Politics

The Democrat Party slammed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Anudith Nakornthap on Monday for his threat to silence websites that allow criticism of the prime minister.

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he was surprised by Gp Capt Anudith's threat.

It was a violation of democratic principles and at odds with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's promise in her controversial speech in Mongolia to promote democracy in Thailand.

In a democracy, the government is open to criticism, the Democrat Party leader said.

The ICT minister declared on Sunday that his ministry would take prompt action against the owners of websites allowing people to post messages criticising the prime minister, threatening fines and jail terms, and warning they could be shut down.

He said they could be fined up to 20,000 baht or put in prison for one year under the provisions of the Criminal Code.

The minister's rant came in the wake of a post by Somchai Katanyatanan, a popular cartoonist for the mass circulation Thai Rath newspaper under the name of Chai Ratchawat. He implied the prime minister was an ''evil woman'' in a comment on her speech made at a democracy forum in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, on April 29.

The cartoonist wrote on April 30 on his Facebook page, "Prostitutes are not evil. They just sell their bodies. But an evil woman sells the nation." His message was widely circulated in social media, sparking debates in cyberspace.

Ms Yingluck, in her speech, blasted the 2006 coup which ousted her brother, Thaksin, warned of continued attempts by a group of people trying to ''derail'' democracy and claimed snipers were shooting red-shirts during the 2010 protests in Bangkok.

Critics were upset by her remarks, accusing her of telling half-truths, of defending her fugitive brother and intentionally omitting any mention of the widespread corruption and interference in independent agencies by the Thaksin administration, which were among reasons cited for the coup in 2006.

The prime minister sued the cartoonist for defamation on Friday.

Democrat deputy spokeswoman Malika Boonmeetrakul said Gp Capt Anudith went beyond his authority in his attempt to fend off criticism of the prime minister. The minister had no power to close websites, which could be shut down only by a court order, she said.

Users of social media, along with the press, have the right to freedom of expression and to comment on and criticise public figures, including the prime minister. Ms Yingluck could take legal action against anyone she believed defamed her, Mrs Malika said.

Meanwhile, a police inquiry will determine whether Mr Somchai broke the law in posting his comment.

Pol Maj Gen Anuchai Lekbumrung, deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said on Monday that he expected the panel to report back on Tuesday.

He said Pol Maj Gen Wichanwat Borirakkun, the city police Division 1 commander, would appoint the inquiry members.

BANGKOK POST ]]> Khun Don http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?43772-Democrats-blast-Anudith-s-cyber-shutdown-threat