[Dawn] Computer networks at two major South Korean banks and three top TV broadcasters went into shutdown mode en masse Wednesday, paralyzing bank machines across the country and prompting speculation of a cyber attack by North Korea.Screens went blank promptly at 2 pm with skulls popping up on the screens of some computers, a strong indication that hackers planted a malicious code in South Korean systems, the state-run Korea Information Security Agency said. Some computers started to get back online more than two hours later.
"Hmmm... Skulls on the screens, is it? Le Gume, I suspect hackers!"
Police and South Korean officials investigating the shutdown said the cause was not immediately clear. But speculation centered on North Korea, with experts saying a cyber attack orchestrated by Pyongyang was likely to blame. The shutdown comes amid rising rhetoric and threats of attack from Pyongyang in response to UN punishment for its December rocket launch and February nuclear test.