US security firm traces massive hacking to Chinese military

CHRISTOPHER BODEEN
Source: Associated Press
Created: February 19, 2013

Mandiant Corp. report links China to wave of cyber attacks against U.S. and other foreign companies and government agencies

The Associated Press

The building housing “Unit 61398” of the People’s Liberation Army is seen in the outskirts of Shanghai. Cyberattacks that stole information from 141 targets in the U.S. and other countries...
The building housing “Unit 61398” of the People’s Liberation Army is seen in the outskirts of Shanghai. Cyberattacks that stole information from 141 targets in the U.S. and other countries have been traced to the Chinese military unit in the building, a U.S. security firm alleged Tuesday. (AP Photo)

Graham Cluley, a British cybersecurity expert who was not involved in Mandiant's research, said people in the computer industry believe China's government is behind such attacks but have been unable to confirm the source.

"None of us would be very surprised or be uncomfortable saying we strongly suspect the Chinese authorities are involved in spying this way," said Cluley, a senior technology consultant for security firm Sophos in Britain.

"I think we are seeing a steady escalation" of sophistication in hacking, Cluley said. "This is really the new era of cybercrime. We've moved from kids in their bedroom and financially motivated crime to state-sponsored cybercrime, which is interested in stealing secrets and getting military or commercial advantage."

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Associated Press writers Gillian Wong and Joe McDonald contributed to this report.

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US security firm traces massive hacking to Chinese military

Mandiant Corp. report links China to wave of cyber attacks against U.S. and other foreign companies and government agencies

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