Villain’s Programming - Chapter 219



Only Noblemtl

Episode 219: Stuxnet Worm

“Is there a problem in Iran?”

Dojun tilted his head. This is because the word ‘Iran’ was a very unfamiliar word both in my previous life and in this life.

I didn’t understand what kind of connection there was between myself and Iran.

– That’s right. Iran.

“I don’t know anything about Iran… … . Did you have a problem with the game in Iran and asked for help? It’s not… “That can’t be possible?”

Dojun tilted his head and continued speaking.

“Iran’s infrastructure is so poor that it would be difficult to run a network game.”

Robert also readily admitted it.

– That’s right. “The gaming business is difficult in Iran.”

“Then, there’s nothing I can do for you?”

– Isn’t there one?

“yes?”

– Hacking and security. Not long ago, I received a report on the cyber war between Korea and Japan that took place on March 1st.

Dojun was shocked.

‘No, is this something that will be received as a report from the United States?’

“Was there anything about me in the report?”

– No, there wasn’t. In the report, there were only the names of a student named Choi Jun-yeop and an employee of your company named Kim Dong-jin. They said they were the ones who created the hacking program.

“Then why do I…” … .”

– But the company that created the security system that prevented Japanese hacking was called GUARD CAT. I can’t tell you what these two companies have in common, right?

Dojun was the owner of both ‘Black Cat’ and ‘GUARD CAT’.

‘Anyone can see that this was done according to my instructions, right?’

That was true, but Dojun played it off.

“hmm. I think there is some misunderstanding… … .”

– Hey son-in-law, it’s okay. Do you want me to bother you or get you into trouble? And if Sally even finds out, ha! It’s scary to even think about it. Sally and Sally’s mom are going to kick me out of the house.

For some reason, it seemed very feasible.

“Then why did you say that?”

– To get advice.

“Advice? “I don’t know anything about Iran?”

Robert said cautiously.

-For security reasons, I can’t talk in depth over the phone. However, I would like to get some advice regarding what you did on March 1st.

Dojun tilted his head.

‘Do you need some advice regarding what I did on March 1st? What does this mean? What does that have to do with Iran? what? Even if Iran was hacked… … .’

At that moment, Dojun opened his eyes.

‘Iran? hacking? no way?’

Dojun recalled an incident from his past life.

‘There have been numerous hacking incidents in history, but not all hacking incidents are talked about. However, there were hacking incidents that were talked about even years later because the damage was so great or the hacking method was so great.’

Dojun recalled the hacking incident.

‘There were about 10 hacks, and they all shook the world. But out of all of them, I considered this incident the best. This is the attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities with Stuxnet.’

After receiving intelligence that Iran was secretly developing nuclear weapons, Israel and the United States made lengthy preparations and infiltrated the ‘Stuxnet worm’ into Iranian nuclear facilities.

‘The Stuxnet worm was the first malicious code in history. That wasn’t all. It was a truly horrible hybrid of a worm, a Trojan horse, and a virus.’

It was a terrible virus, but at the same time, it was an incredible level of programming that would make programmers go crazy.

‘A hacking program that completely changed the trend in hacking history. A hacking program created by the government with all its efforts. no way… ‘Is this what my father-in-law is talking about?’

Dojun wanted to ask right away. But he couldn’t say this carelessly.

‘If you ask me if I’m planning to attack a nuclear facility, I’ll immediately ask you how you knew that, right?’

Dojun thought hard before answering.

“If it’s advice, I don’t think there will be any problem.”

– okay? Phew, that’s a relief. All arrangements will be made after the meeting. I’m also preparing for my daughter’s wedding, and I don’t want to let the government’s affairs interfere even in the slightest. I refused this job several times, but Kyle asked me so many times… … .

Dojun knew very well how close Brigadier General Kyle and Robert were.

‘Even in the midst of lost memories, the two of you continued to have a strong friendship.’

“It’s okay, father-in-law. Is there anything wrong with just advice? “So, what should I do?”

– After the meeting, there will be an unofficial visit from Kyle. Please meet Kyle for a moment then.

‘A US Pentagon general is coming to Jangheung?’

For a moment I wondered if this was okay, but it seemed like there wouldn’t be any problem.

‘Well, it’s about one person. If you get one more spoon, you’re a pig.’

Dojun answered confidently.

“All right. “Then I’ll see you at the meeting.”

* * *

Wilson waited in a phone booth for Eric Ryan to answer.

‘Well, it won’t be easy to answer. Because I thought it was absurd at first too.’

Since Wilson was inside, sometimes people came to use the public phone. However, as Wilson continued to insert coins and continue talking, everyone soon went somewhere else.

‘When are you going to answer me?’

It was then. Eric Ryan asked through the phone.

– So, are you saying that you have received information that the United States and Israel are trying to hack Iranian nuclear facilities?

“Not only was it hacked, but I also received the source code for the ‘Staxnet worm’ they were trying to use.”

A somewhat absurd voice came from the receiver.

– Ha, Wilson. I checked the source you sent me by email a little while ago. To be honest, I thought it was ridiculous, but when I saw the quality of the source material, I couldn’t just ignore it. However, there’s no way you’d have contacted me based on this, and have you found out anything else?

“of course. In fact, when you have these incredible facts and information, there is no need to contact us. “You can contact Iranian intelligence directly.”

– That’s right. Is there a good reason for you to contact us?

“I think this matter is related to the Chinese government.”

A slightly excited voice came from the receiver.

– Chinese government? This is getting more interesting, isn’t it? There must be a reason to think so, right?

“The person who gave me this information… “His name is Zhang Linfeng. He was a hacker I used to have.”

– You were in our organization? It’s Zhang Linfeng… I don’t think you’ve ever heard of it?

“Because he was an unremarkable friend.”

– An ordinary friend knows information about Iran’s nuclear facilities and gives us hacking sources to be used by the United States and Israel?

“It doesn’t make sense. So I did a little more research on this guy. And I recently found out that this friend’s relationship with the Chinese government is very close. “A company called Baekcent created a mobile messenger program called WeChat, which allowed the Chinese government to search all of its citizens’ conversations.”

Eric Ryan was unable to respond to Wilson’s words for a moment.

– this… This is something I could never have imagined. Hacking of the entire nation, should we say that it is also typical of China? Hmm. If Jiang Linfeng is that close to China, as you say, I guess we should assume that this is something the Chinese government has commissioned us to do.

“I see.”

– But I still don’t understand. If the client is really the Chinese government, isn’t this antagonizing the United States? What are you saying that Iran’s nuclear development will help them?

Wilson chuckled. He remembered having a hard time figuring it out himself.

“I already had a hard time finding it. But I finally found it. And that’s why people all over the world know.”

– The whole world? It won’t be something as obvious as a conflict between the democratic camp and the communist camp… … . no way? Lehman?

“haha. As expected, you got it right. That’s right. Because China took over Lehman, China is still not in a normal state. It may take years to get back to normal. In the meantime, the United States will further devour the Chinese economy.

Eric Ryan’s voice grew louder as Wilson spoke.

– Now I understand. China needs time?

“That’s what I think. It buys time to escape the attention of the United States while normalizing the economy. That’s not all. If Iran succeeds in developing nuclear weapons, China can also engage in economic cooperation with Iran. America could never do it. In China, this is called killing two birds with one stone. how is it? “Is this a sufficient explanation?”

When Wilson asked Eric Ryan, he remained silent again. It was about a minute later that he answered.

– of course. You can’t miss something like this. Instead, I will receive my compensation firmly. From the Iranian government.

“That’s my specialty. “Don’t worry.”

– Also, check out the Chinese government. Who has the ability to collect information that we don’t even know about and who is skilled enough to create such a great hacking program?

“I understand. Then I’ll contact you next time.”

Wilson hung up the phone and went back into the office.

And then I started writing emails to be sent to Iranian intelligence.

* * *

Do-jun’s father, Hwang Kang-cheol, was busy walking around downtown Jangheung these days.

“Ugh. It’s in the middle of nowhere, so there’s no suitable place. How great would it be if we had a meeting in Seoul? Just do it at the hotel and that’s it.”

There wasn’t even a typical hotel in Jangheung. Of course, there were places called hotels, but most of them were motels that just changed their names.

“Do we have no choice but to just open it as a restaurant?”

Hwang Kang-cheol wanted to make the meeting with his eldest son Do-jun nice. It was because Dojun was the firstborn, but he grew up so well even though I didn’t do anything for him, so I was proud of him.

So I didn’t accept Dojun’s offer of money.

‘I have to do this. Aam.’

Hwang Kang-cheol worked hard to make a reservation at a place that was known for being clean and delicious.

‘I guess I’ll have to give up the lease on that day.’

Recently, business at the rice cake shop was so good that I had that much money. And it was worth it to do this much for my eldest son.

Hwang Kang-cheol, who reserved the venue, wore matching hanbok with his wife and also reserved accommodation for his in-laws. I was planning on making all kinds of rice cakes.

‘Just give the rest to the people around you.’

Since it was an auspicious day, I planned to give as much as I could.

“Are you ready now?”

Three days before the meeting, Hwang Kang-cheol sighed in relief when he confirmed that everything was ready.

‘If my house was bigger, I would have brought you home. ‘This can’t be helped.’

While Hwang Kang-cheol was thinking that, he received a phone call.

‘huh? ‘Isn’t that CEO Kim from Sangnoksu?’

Sangnoksu was a restaurant that Hwang Kang-cheol had booked as a meeting place.

“President Kim, what’s going on?”

Hwang Kang-cheol smiled and asked how I was doing. Hwang Kang-cheol smiled as he and President Kim greeted each other.

However, President Kim delivered news that came as a surprise.

– President Hwang, I’m sorry. I told him that I also had a reservation for a meeting, but the county office turned it around. It’s the governor’s birthday that day, so he said, why not do something for me?

“No, I paid the lease that day, right?”

– I said that too. However, the county office said that they would only need one table for a meeting anyway, so they asked to be able to use some of the empty seats. You know that too, right? This governor… It’s a bit unusual.

Hwang Kang-cheol clenched his fists.

“No, President Kim! It’s my son Dojun’s reunion! You can do this! I told you, your in-laws are from America! But you want to have a meeting at a table on one side? Where lots of people are having birthday parties?

Hwang Kang-cheol shouted excitedly.

– I was so frustrated that I declined several times. But, what can you do? Most of the customers at our restaurant are from the county office. Do me a favor.

Hwang Kang-cheol became frustrated. Although he shouted loudly, it was because he understood the feelings of Sangnoksu CEO Kim.

‘If you look wrong to the people in the county office in a small country, it’s the end.’

Although the meeting lasted only one day, people from the county office used the restaurant on a regular basis. If they didn’t come to the restaurant, the restaurant had to close.

Hwang Kang-cheol understood President Kim’s concerns. The problem was the meeting ceremony. There were only three days left. Even if I tried to find another place now, there was no way I could find a place I liked.

– I’m sorry, President Hwang. Instead, I will completely separate the area where your family is by putting up a partition.

I didn’t want to, but there was no way for now.

“… … “I understand.”

Hwang Kang-cheol hung up the phone and couldn’t sleep a wink all night. And the next morning, I called Dojun.

“Dojun, there’s something my dad feels sorry for.”

* * *

Prime Minister Jeong Sang-soo frowned at the report that suddenly came up.

“What is this?”

The chief secretary answered with an urgent expression.

“This is the list of attendees at this ROK-US joint security meeting.”

“Isn’t that already decided?”

“however… The personnel on the US side has changed. “U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Michael Gates is said to be participating.”

Prime Minister Jeong Sang-soo opened his eyes wide.

“what? “The U.S. Secretary of Defense is coming?”

If the Minister of Defense came, it wouldn’t just end as a meeting. At the very least, an opponent of the same level should have stepped forward. Moreover, he had to be received as a state guest. In short, there was a lot of work to do.

“Why did he suddenly come here?”

“that is… I don’t know either. This meeting is clearly a working-level meeting, but the number of attendees has suddenly increased. And it’s not just the Minister of Defense. “It is said that members of the U.S. National Defense Committee are also coming.”

The Prime Minister’s eyes darkened.

“No, why are they again? What is the agenda for this meeting? “Is there some provocation from North Korea that we don’t know about?”

“doesn’t exist. “I checked several times just in case, but no significant trends were reported.”

The Prime Minister grabbed the back of his neck.

“driving me crazy. “You don’t know why they’re coming?”

At that time, the chief secretary spoke carefully.

“so… “I contacted the Korean branch of the CIA just in case.”

The Prime Minister opened his eyes wide. If he was the CIA, he might have some information.

“okay? What brings you here? “Did you tell me?”

The chief secretary sighed and answered.

“no. They say they don’t know either. And the bigger thing is… … .”

The Prime Minister looked shocked.

“Big deal? “Is there something bigger going on?”

“yes. Because of that, they say there is an uproar there too.”

“why?”

“The director of the U.S. CIA is also on the list coming that day.”

The Prime Minister opened his mouth wide.

“CIA Director? Why is he coming? Is there really something going on in North Korea? Otherwise, what’s going on with Japan?”

The CIA was an agency that handled information from around the world. There was a big reason why the head of such a place was moving.

“Well, even the CIA says they don’t know. but… … .”

“but? “Did you find out anything?”

The chief secretary said, scratching the back of his neck.

“Well, I checked the director’s schedule at the CIA, and they say he will be moving to a location after the meeting.”

“movement? Do you even go to US military bases? Or the ceasefire line?”

The chief secretary shook his head.

“no. “They say they are moving to Jangheung, Jeollanam-do.”