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Hackers target State Dept. computers
CNN ^ | July 11, 2006 | AP

Posted on 07/11/2006 3:47:35 PM PDT by RDTF

Widespread break-ins appear aimed at HQ, East Asian office

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The State Department is recovering from large-scale computer break-ins worldwide over the past several weeks that appeared to target its headquarters and offices dealing with China and North Korea, The Associated Press has learned.

Investigators believe hackers stole sensitive U.S. information and passwords and implanted backdoors in unclassified government computers to allow them to return at will, said U.S. officials familiar with the hacking.

These people spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the widespread intrusions and the resulting investigation.

The break-ins and the State Department's emergency response severely limited Internet access at many locations, including some headquarters offices in Washington, these officials said. Internet connections have been restored across nearly all the department since the break-ins were recognized in mid-June.

"The department did detect anomalies in network traffic, and we thought it prudent to ensure out system's integrity," department spokesman Kurtis Cooper said. Asked what information was stolen by the hackers, Cooper said, "Because the investigation is continuing, I don't think we even know."

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: china; hacker; northkorea; russia; statedepartment

1 posted on 07/11/2006 3:47:39 PM PDT by RDTF
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To: RDTF

The Chinese are supposedly preparing for a war in cyberspace with the United States. Could this be them?


2 posted on 07/11/2006 3:49:30 PM PDT by Jedi Master Pikachu ( http://www.answersingenesis.org)
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To: Jedi Master Pikachu

from article:

China's government was considered by experts a chief suspect in computer break-ins at the Defense Department and other U.S. agencies disclosed last summer.

But China also is home to a large number of insecure computers and networks that hackers in other countries could use to disguise their locations and launch attacks.

The Pentagon warned earlier this year that China's army is emphasizing hacking as an offensive weapon. It cited Chinese military exercises in 2005 that included hacking "primarily in first strikes against enemy networks."


3 posted on 07/11/2006 3:51:57 PM PDT by RDTF ("We love death. The US loves life. That is the big difference between us two.” Osama Bin laden)
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To: ShadowAce

ping


4 posted on 07/11/2006 3:52:57 PM PDT by Salo
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To: RDTF
Investigators believe hackers stole sensitive U.S. information and passwords and implanted backdoors in unclassified government computers to allow them to return at will, said U.S. officials familiar with the hacking.

Are we sure they didn't just get the classified information from The New York Times?

I'd include a sarcasm tag, but with the Paper of Treason, one never knows...!
5 posted on 07/11/2006 3:55:09 PM PDT by LostInBayport (Massachusetts liberals refuse to admit we exist...we are the 37% of MA voters who voted for GWB)
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To: RDTF

Are the DUmmies trying their hand at hacking?


6 posted on 07/11/2006 3:55:21 PM PDT by proud_yank (Truth to liberals is as useful as a snowblower in hell.)
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To: RDTF
Dump windows !

Get Root !


7 posted on 07/11/2006 3:55:42 PM PDT by Uri’el-2012 (Isaiah 26:4 Trust in YHvH forever, because YHvH is the Rock eternal.)
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To: Jedi Master Pikachu

I've got a good idea let's outsource all of our software development offshore. China wages are cheap so let's go there.


8 posted on 07/11/2006 4:01:46 PM PDT by w1andsodidwe (Jimmy Carter allowed radical Islam to get a foothold in Iran.)
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To: Jedi Master Pikachu

this was removed from breaking news??


9 posted on 07/11/2006 4:03:36 PM PDT by RDTF ("We love death. The US loves life. That is the big difference between us two.” Osama Bin laden)
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To: Darksheare

Just D*&% ping


10 posted on 07/11/2006 4:04:06 PM PDT by DJ MacWoW (If you think you know what's coming next....You don't know Jack.)
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To: RDTF

This is hard to believe....we're not capable of stopping hackers...horrors!!!


11 posted on 07/11/2006 4:04:38 PM PDT by shield (A wise man's heart is at his RIGHT hand; but a fool's heart at his LEFT. Ecc. 10:2)
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To: RDTF

?


12 posted on 07/11/2006 4:05:24 PM PDT by Jedi Master Pikachu ( http://www.answersingenesis.org)
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To: Jedi Master Pikachu

Just wondering why they would not consider this breaking news, that's all.


13 posted on 07/11/2006 4:07:33 PM PDT by RDTF ("We love death. The US loves life. That is the big difference between us two.” Osama Bin laden)
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To: RDTF

Another poster posted what seemed to be the same article a bit after you, but it seems to have gotten pulled from the big, main list.


14 posted on 07/11/2006 4:17:52 PM PDT by Jedi Master Pikachu ( http://www.answersingenesis.org)
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Comment #15 Removed by Moderator

To: RDTF

WHOA! It must be an inside job. Breaking in secured computer network infrastructure like us is almost impossible unless it's an inside job. I don't work for U.S. government computers but our wide area network servers have never been broken.


16 posted on 07/11/2006 4:27:28 PM PDT by wannabegeek
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To: RDTF

If I hated the US that last thing I would do would be to interfere with the State Dept. It's rigid bureaucracy appears to be made up entirely of anti-American Yalie pinkos.


17 posted on 07/11/2006 4:27:48 PM PDT by Seruzawa (If you agree with the French raise your hand - If you are French raise both hands.)
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To: wannabegeek

Great post, Geek. Wonder where Wen Ho Lee is now? Maybe he's working for the Chinese since he avoided being jailed for his part in White Sands incident.


18 posted on 07/11/2006 4:40:12 PM PDT by goresalooza (Nurses Rock!)
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To: Jedi Master Pikachu

It could also be the Russians


19 posted on 07/11/2006 7:01:27 PM PDT by Thunder90
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