According to software giant Microsoft, hackers from China have penetrated the email accounts of several Western government institutions. The China-based actor, whom Microsoft refers to as Storm-0558, gained access to the email accounts of 25 organizations, including government agencies, the company said.
Microsoft continues: “We believe this adversary is aimed at espionage – as well as gaining access to email systems to collect classified information.”
“Unusual Activities” at the State Department
The US State Department was apparently also targeted by the attacks, even though Microsoft did not explicitly name the department. However, a State Department spokesperson said in Washington on Wednesday that the Department had identified “unusual activity” and then “immediately took steps to secure our systems.”
The State Department in Washington declined to provide further information, citing its “cybersecurity policy”. “The incident is still under investigation,” the spokesman said.
Apparently no access to classified information
The Washington Post newspaper reported that the hacked email accounts had no security ratings. Accounts held by the US Department of Defense, secret services or the country’s armed forces were reportedly unaffected.
US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan told ABC television that the hack was discovered “quite quickly.” “We have been able to prevent further breaches.”
According to Microsoft, Storm-0558 targets “government agencies in Western Europe” primarily, targeting espionage, data theft, and credentials. The software company said it launched an investigation into “unusual email activity” on June 16 and then took steps to stop the hacker attack.
Source: Krone
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