Cyberattacks on Various U.S. Laboratories
December 8, 2007
(LongIsland, N.Y.) According to PCWORLD, Hackers have succeeded in breaking into the computer systems of two of the U.S.’ most important science labs, the the Knoxville, Tennessee based Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Scientists and engineers at these locations work to increase the availability of clean and abundant energy, restore and protect the environment, and contribute to providing solutions to the nation’s most crucial and complex problems including national security.
According to a note, the unknown hackers gained access to a nonclassifed laboratory database which contained personal data every person who visited the facility over a 14-year period between 1990 and 2004. Authorities suspect the hackers are based in China. Security experts of late have been pointing the finger at China as the main source of many cyberattacks and cyber-espionage, but Chinese officials deny it. The attack on Los Alamos seems to be linked to the one at Oak Ridge.
Thom Mason, director of the government research facility, said the hackers made about 1,100 attempts to steal data by sending an unknown number of staffers a total of seven phishing e-mails. Mason stated that they believe that about 11 staffers opened the attachments contained in the e-mails which enabled the hackers to infiltrate the system and remove data.
“Reconstructing this event is a very tedious and time-consuming effort that likely will take weeks, if not longer, to complete,” he added. Meanwhile, he said, the lab is attempting to notify all the potential victims that the personal information at risk includes names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers. Oak Ridge National Laboratory isn’t aware of any identity theft that has arisen from the security breach at this time, but is advising those persons affected to check their credit reports and put a fraud alert on their credit files.
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory has posted a page for employees and visitors that will keep them up-to-date with the investigation and potential identity theft issues.
Posted by News LI Editor · Filed Under Tech
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One Response to “Cyberattacks on Various U.S. Laboratories”
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China isnt playing around, while our Politicians sell us out on a daily basis China is playing for keeps and the future.
The US should be going after China in the same way they are trying to go after us.
BDX
- Posted by: BDX