Chinese hackers target 30_000 US entities
At least 30_000 US organisations including local governments have been hacked in recent days by an unusually aggressive Chinese cyber-espionage campaign_ according to a computer security specialist.
The campaign has exploited recently discovered flaws in Microsoft Exchange software_ stealing email and infecting computer servers with tools that let attackers take control remotely_ Brian Krebs said in a post at his cybersecurity news website.
This is an active threat_ White House spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki said when asked about the situation during a press briefing on Friday.
Everyone running these servers needs to act now to patch them. We are concerned that there are a large number of victims_ she added.
After Microsoft released patches for the vulnerabilities on Tuesday_ attacks dramatically stepped up on servers not yet updated with security fixes_ said Krebs_ who cited unnamed sources familiar with the situation.
At least 30_000 organisations across the United States including a significant number of small businesses_ towns_ cities and local governments have over the past few days been hacked by an unusually aggressive Chinese cyber espionage unit that s focused on stealing email from victim organizations_ Krebs wrote in the post.
He reported that insiders said hackers have seized control of thousands of computer systems around the world using password-protected software tools slipped into systems.
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