Google may exit China after 'highly targeted' attack - Activists hit in 20-company dragnet

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Summary	Google may exit China after 'highly targeted' attack - Activists hit in 20-company dragnet
Category	General
Power Supply Industry News	" ... Google plans to curb its controversial practice of censoring search results in China after uncovering a "highly sophisticated and targeted attack" designed to steal information about human rights activists from its Gmail service and at least 20 other large companies. The attack that hit Google in mid-December originated in China and was aimed at accessing the Gmail accounts of human rights activists. Although only two email accounts appear to have been breached, "accounts of dozens of US-, China- and Europe-based Gmail users who are advocates of human rights in China" have been routinely breached, most likely as a result of phishing or malware attacks, the company said Tuesday. The discovery came as Google uncovered similar attacks on at least 20 other companies in the financial, technology, media, and chemical industries. Adobe Systems issued a separate statement that reported it and and other companies had also come under attack. In light of the revelations, Google said it is considering shuttering its Chinese operations altogether. Drummond's description of an industry-wide attack carried out from China is reminiscent of a warning issued two years ago by the MI5's director-general. In a letter sent in late 2007 to 300 UK chief executives and security chiefs, Jonathan Evans warned the leaders of British businesses to be on the lookout for state-sponsored Chinese hackers carrying out electronic surveillance attacks. ... "
Webpage	More info
Author	SMPS Editor
Date	1/13/2010

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