The Verge - Protecting its image: Chinese military allegedly behind hacks on major US newspapers

Should US companies be allowed to hack China in revenge? New report says yes

2013-05-22T20:46:48Z

It's no secret that major US companies have been victims of a growing number of hacks from overseas in recent years, allegedly by attackers looking to steal corporate information and intellectual property, such as patented software. The Department of Defense and US diplomats have also accused China's government and military of being behind some of these attacks. Now, a new report by a group of influential former government officials and private executives says that if intellectual property theft continues at future levels, Congress should consider passing laws allowing US companies to "counterattack" against such hackers, whoever they may be.

Chinese hackers renew cyberattacks on US targets after brief lull

2013-05-20T08:50:05Z

After a relative lull in activity, it looks as though the Chinese hacking group uncovered in a February security report has resumed its attacks on US targets. According to new information that security firm Mandiant submitted to The New York Times, attacks against identical, but unspecified, targets have been gradually increasing over the past two months, now sitting at 60 to 70 percent of their previous strength. Obama administration officials say that the issue will continue to be revisited until it can convince the Chinese leadership that "there is a real cost to this kind of activity."

In recent months, President Obama’s national security advisor Tom Donilon has talked tough about Chinese cyberattacks on US businesses and...

Deter Cyber Theft Act aims to stop companies from profiting on cyber-espionage against the US

2013-05-07T23:09:27Z

Yesterday a Pentagon report laid the blame for some of the recent hacking attacks in the United States at the feet of the Chinese government and military, and now a group of four US senators have proposed legislation aimed at hurting those the benefit from such actions. The Deter Cyber Theft Act was proposed by Carl Levin (D-MI), John McCain (R-AZ), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), and Tom Coburn (R-OK), and is designed to address what NSA head General Keith Alexander has called "the greatest transfer of wealth in history" — theft of intellectual property in cyber-related crime.

If it were to become law, the Act would require the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to put together an annual report listing what foreign countries are...

Pentagon report says US computer hacking 'appears to be attributable' to Chinese government

2013-05-07T03:25:34Z

In a new report the Pentagon states that it believes the Chinese government was behind some of the hacking attacks in the United States in 2012. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, the information comes from a yearly document prepared for Congress entitled "Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2013." It states that numerous computer systems in the US — including those of the US government itself — were hit with attacks, and that some of them "appear to be attributable directly to the Chinese government and military."

China has been blamed for a series of high-profile hacking attacks that came to light in recent months. Newspapers like The Washington Post , The New York Times, and the J...

Obama administration considering options to escalate response to Chinese cyberattacks

2013-04-22T15:53:06Z

After years of accusations over Chinese government-sponsored hacks of American companies and agencies, the US government looks to be taking a more agressive stance. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Obama administration is looking into an array of options to send a message to China and proactively defend against future attacks.

Current officials and others who have recently left the government inform the paper that the administration is considering using the Justice Department to prosecute individuals connected to the hacks. While it's unlikely that China would release its citizens for US prosecution, the indictments could limit where suspects could travel out of fear of being released into US custody. Other options include...

US and China form working groups to collaborate on cybersecurity, climate change

2013-04-13T20:01:03Z

The United States and China will form working groups that focus in on two of today's most pressing issues: cybersecurity and climate change. That's according to US Secretary of State John Kerry, who outlined the plans during a visit to Beijing. The collaboration on cybersecurity is particularly notable; both countries have traded barbs and accusations of cyber espionage in recent months. It's unclear what (if anything) will come as a result of the joint effort, but the working group's formation suggests both sides are eager to quell months of rising tension and public squabbling.

Both countries are also promising to work together on a "more focused and urgent" response to climate change concerns. "The United States of America and the...

China voices strong opposition to US cyber-espionage law

2013-03-30T15:41:06Z

China has come out in strong opposition to a new US law that restricts government purchases of Chinese technology, saying the measure threatens to harm economic relations between the two countries. The provision, passed Thursday as part of a larger US spending bill, requires NASA, the Department of Justice, and the Commerce Department to consult with federal law enforcement before procuring Chinese IT systems. The law purportedly aims to mitigate the risk of cyber-espionage, but as Reuters reports, Chinese authorities say it could have drastic consequences.

US Congress restricts government purchase of Chinese computer equipment, citing cyber-espionage concerns

2013-03-27T22:17:40Z

The latest US appropriations bill, signed into law just this week, includes a provision that is likely to further raise tensions between the country and China. The provision requires the Department of Justice, Department of Commerce, NASA, and the NSF to perform a formal assessment of risk of cyber-espionage before purchasing computer systems and other IT equipment. There is a clause in the bill that states that the assessment must specifically analyze — with the assistance of the FBI — any "such system being produced, manufactured or assembled by one or more entities that are owned, directed or subsidized" by the People's Republic of China to determine if the purchase is "in the national interest of the United States." Stewart A....