China Believed Responsible For The Latest Cyber Attack Against The U.S. Government

New York Times: Chinese Hackers Behind Breach at Insurers Are Also Responsible for Government Attack, Researchers Say

SAN FRANCISCO — The Chinese attackers who breached two major health insurers this year were also responsible for the intrusion at the Office of Personnel Management, which handles government security clearances and records for federal employees, researchers say.

The attacks signal a new chapter in online espionage, according to security experts. Researchers say the motivation behind the attacks at the insurers, Anthem and Primera, as well as the Office of Personnel Management was digital espionage, not cybercrime.

WNU Editor: Because the targeted agency is responsible for the security screening of U.S. government employees .... my gut is telling me that the Chinese were looking for intelligence officers and/or covert agents.

More News On Reports That China Is Responsible For The Recent Cyber Attack Against The U.S. Government

Cyber attack hits 4 million current, former U.S. federal workers -- Reuters
U.S. Suspects Hackers in China Breached About 4 Million People’s Records, Officials Say -- WSJ
Officials: China Suspected of U.S. Data Breach Affecting Millions -- NBC
US believes China behind cybersecurity breach affecting at least 4M federal employees -- FOX News
Cyberattack compromises government workers -- CNN
U.S. Government Data Breach Tied to Theft of Health-Care Records -- Bloomberg