Washington:
A widespread computer attack that began on July 4 knocked out the websites of the Treasury Department, the Secret Service and other US agencies, and South Korean government sites also came under assault.
South Korean intelligence officials believe the attacks were carried out by North Korean or pro-Pyongyang forces. US officials so far have refused to publicly discuss details of the attack or where it might have originated.
The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that its own website was among several commercial sites also hit.
The US government sites, which 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 on Tuesday.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service, the nation's main spy agency, told a group of South Korean lawmakers on Wednesday it believes that North Korea or North Korean sympathisers in the South were behind the attacks, according to an aide to one of the lawmakers briefed on the information.
The aide spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the information. The National Intelligence Service -- South Korea's main spy agency -- said it couldn't immediately confirm the report, but it said it was cooperating with American authorities.
South Korean intelligence officials believe the attacks were carried out by North Korean or pro-Pyongyang forces. US officials so far have refused to publicly discuss details of the attack or where it might have originated.
The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that its own website was among several commercial sites also hit.
The US government sites, which 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 on Tuesday.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service, the nation's main spy agency, told a group of South Korean lawmakers on Wednesday it believes that North Korea or North Korean sympathisers in the South were behind the attacks, according to an aide to one of the lawmakers briefed on the information.
The aide spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the information. The National Intelligence Service -- South Korea's main spy agency -- said it couldn't immediately confirm the report, but it said it was cooperating with American authorities.
