US media companies hit by ‘Chinese hackers’
Wall Street Journal and New York Times newspapers report that both their computer systems were infiltrated.
The Wall Street Journal says its computer systems have been infiltrated by Chinese hackers who were trying to monitor the newspaper’s coverage of China.
A spokesperson for Dow Jones & Co., the newspaper’s publisher, says the Journal completed a network overhaul to bolster security on Thursday.
“Evidence shows that infiltration efforts target the monitoring of the Journal‘s coverage of China and are not an attempt to gain commercial advantage or to misappropriate customer information,” Paula Keve said.
The Journal did not address how the hacking of its systems occurred, but it said it has faced such threats from China in recent years.
‘Ongoing issue’
The infiltration of networks related to coverage of China is an “ongoing issue,” Keve said.
“We continue to work closely with the authorities and outside security specialists, taking extensive measures to protect our customers, employees, journalists and sources.”
Meanwhile, the New York Times reported on Thursday that Chinese hackers repeatedly penetrated its computer systems and stole reporters’ passwords.
The Times said the hackers were hunting for files on an investigation into wealth amassed by the family of a top Chinese leader.
China’s foreign ministry dismissed the New York Times‘ accusations as “groundless” and “totally irresponsible”.