by: Michael Barkoviak
Foreign hackers have reportedly attacked computers used by White House staff, Obama, and McCain camps
Government officials publicly disclosed that computer systems used by the White House, President-elect Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain have been attacked by foreign hackers.
Not surprisingly, it seems White House computer servers were attacked by hackers operating inside of China, who were able to read unclassified e-mails written by White House staff.
"We are getting very targeted Chinese attacks so it stretches credulity that these are not directed by government-related organizations," the government official told the Financial Times. "For a short period of time they successfully breach a wall and then you rebuild the wall... It is not as if they have continued access. It is constant cat and mouse."
Members of the Obama campaign believe they were targeted by hackers located in China or Russia, with the FBI reassuring the camp that political opponents were not behind the security attacks. A "serious amount of files" were stolen after the midsummer cyber attack. Shortly after the Obama's headquarters were attacked, McCain suffered a similar attack, blamed on an "unknown foreign entity" also responsible for stealing numerous files.
Specifically, files related to the candidates' policy proposals were stolen, which could be later used for policy negotiations with President-elect Obama. A federal investigation has been launched into the numerous security breaches, although it's unknown how much can be done to punish the hackers if they are in a different nation.
As political tensions remain high between both nations, cyber attacks originating from China have risen over the past few years, as security experts warn of possible cyber warfare between China and the United States. Government computers also are routinely attacked by users in eastern European nations, although it's less likely they are government approved actions.
Chinese hackers who are believed to be government-sponsored have been responsible for security breaches in England, France, Canada, the United States, and several other nations.
The possibility of data loss and theft has led the U.S. government to restrict BlackBerry and computer use while overseas, especially in China and Russia.
