{"id":2049278,"date":"2023-09-29T08:45:02","date_gmt":"2023-09-29T12:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chinese-hackers-stole-60000-emails-from-state-department-officials\/"},"modified":"2023-09-29T08:50:01","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T12:50:01","slug":"chinese-hackers-stole-60000-emails-from-state-department-officials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chinese-hackers-stole-60000-emails-from-state-department-officials\/","title":{"rendered":"Chinese hackers stole 60k emails from State Department officials."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fchinese-hackers-stole-60000-emails-from-state-department-officials%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2049278&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><blockquote>\n<h2>A Total of 60,000 State Department Emails Hacked by Chinese Cyber \u200dAttackers<\/h2>\n<p>In a stunning revelation, it has \u2063been discovered that Chinese hackers managed to obtain 60,000 emails from the U.S. State \u2063Department \u2064during\u200c a cyber campaign targeting Microsoft. This alarming \u200cbreach was brought to light during a briefing\u200d attended\u200c by 30 to 40 \u200cSenate staffers on September 27.<\/p>\n<p>The hackers specifically targeted 10 State Department accounts, with a focus on Indo-Pacific diplomatic efforts. Nine of the victims\u200c were involved in East Asia\u200c and Pacific affairs, while the other dealt \u2064with European affairs. The extent of the breach also included access to officials&#8217; travel\u200d itineraries and a comprehensive list\u2064 of State Department \u2063email addresses. Shockingly, \u200cfewer than 10 Social Security numbers were also compromised.<\/p>\n<div class=\"shortcode\">\n<div class=\"border-comp-divider mb-4 mr-4 w-full max-w-[500px] border px-5 py-4 text-[16px] leading-[20px] text-[#262626] md:float-left\" id=\"in_article_related_stories\">\n<h2 class=\"mb-3 font-sans text-[16px] font-semibold uppercase leading-[19px] text-[#2F2F2F]\">Related\u200c Stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/china\/chinese-hack-of-microsoft-engineer-opened-door-to-us-government-email-breach-5487862?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>Chinese Hack of Microsoft Engineer Opened Door to US Government Email Breach<\/h3>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/7\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/china\/chinese-hack-of-microsoft-engineer-opened-door-to-us-government-email-breach-5487862?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/china\/gop-lawmaker-says-chinese-spies-hacked-him-5467671?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>GOP Lawmaker Says Chinese Spies Hacked Him<\/h3>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">8\/15\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/china\/gop-lawmaker-says-chinese-spies-hacked-him-5467671?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>This\u2063 breach sheds light \u200bon the extensive\u2062 Chinese cyber attack that lasted for a month, targeting 25\u2062 entities worldwide. \u2063Among \u2063the victims were high-profile individuals such as Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, U.S. Ambassador\u2062 to China Nicholas\u2064 Burns, and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia Daniel Kritenbrink. The\u200c timing \u200bof the attack, which coincided with Secretary\u200c of State Antony Blinken&#8217;s \u2063upcoming visit to China, \u200bsuggests that it\u2064 may have provided the Chinese regime with valuable insights \u2063into U.S. strategy.<\/p>\n<div class=\"shortcode post-related-videos\">\n<div class=\"lazyload-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"lazyload-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>While\u200c the State Department has not officially attributed the breach, \u200cMicrosoft has traced it back\u2064 to the Chinese state. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller\u2063 confirmed this,\u200b stating, &#8220;We have \u2063no reason to doubt their attribution in the case.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">During the briefing, \u200bState Department officials revealed that the cyber \u2064attackers infiltrated one of Microsoft&#8217;s engineers&#8217; devices\u2062 and stole a\u200c certificate, granting them access to the \u2064State Department network \u2064and other targeted entities. This breach has raised concerns about the government&#8217;s reliance on Microsoft as\u2063 its \u200bsole cybersecurity vendor.<\/div>\n<p>The Department of \u2063Homeland Security&#8217;s Cyber Safety Review \u200dBoard has initiated an investigation into the\u2064 potential risks associated with cloud computing. Additionally, State \u2064Department officials announced \u2062plans to\u200d transition to &#8220;hybrid\u200c environments&#8221; with multiple\u2063 vendors.<\/p>\n<p>Senator Eric Schmitt, who has \u200cbeen leading\u200b the charge in investigating the Chinese cyberattack, sees the briefing as a crucial step in countering future attacks. However, he emphasizes that his investigation is far from over. Schmitt asserts the \u2064need to \u200bstrengthen defenses against cyberattacks\u2062 and reevaluate the government&#8217;s \u200bdependence on a \u200bsingle vendor to safeguard sensitive information.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">Representative Don Bacon, who was also targeted by Chinese\u2062 hackers, believes this \u2062incident underscores the importance of supporting Taiwan&#8217;s defense\u200d capabilities and strengthening alliances in the Pacific and Asia. He defiantly states, &#8220;China is a serious cyber threat, \u2064but they won&#8217;t silence me\u2063 by hacking my email.&#8221;<\/div>\n<p>As of\u200c now, the State\u2063 Department has not responded to requests for comment from \u200cThe\u2063 Epoch Times.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How \u2062can governments and organizations worldwide prioritize \u200ccybersecurity and strengthen international cooperation to address and prevent cyber threats,\u2063 particularly state-sponsored cyber attacks<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Chinese hackers with \u200csensitive information \u2063and leverage \u200cduring diplomatic negotiations.<\/p>\n<p>The attack was traced back to a sophisticated cyber espionage group known as HAFNIUM, which has ties to the Chinese government.\u2064 HAFNIUM\u200d is notorious \u200bfor targeting organizations using Microsoft \u2063Exchange\u2062 servers\u200c and exploiting vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access. In this\u200b case, \u200bthey exploited four zero-day vulnerabilities in\u200d Microsoft Exchange, which allowed\u200b them to infiltrate the \u2064systems undetected. Microsoft has\u2062 since released patches to address these vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n<p>The stolen emails and\u200c <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chinese-hackers-stole-60000-emails-from-state-department-officials\/\" title=\"Chinese hackers stole 60k emails from State Department officials.\">data\u2063 pose significant security risks<\/a> for the \u2063U.S. government. \u200cThe information obtained\u2062 can be used to gather intelligence, identify vulnerabilities, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iranian-spies-have-infiltrated-the-american-government-lawmakers-warn\/\" title=\"Lawmakers caution of Iranian spies in US government.\">potentially compromise ongoing diplomatic efforts<\/a>. It is crucial for the government to assess the \u2063damage and take immediate steps to enhance cybersecurity measures to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kamala-gif-tiff-sparks-mandatory-anti-racism-training-at-cornell\/\" title=\"Kamala GIF Tiff Sparks Mandatory \u2018Anti-Racism\u2019 Training at Cornell\">prevent similar incidents<\/a> in the future.<\/p>\n<p>This breach\u200c serves as yet another wake-up call for governments and organizations \u200dworldwide to prioritize cybersecurity. The\u200c increasing\u2064 sophistication and frequency of cyber attacks underscore the\u2062 constant threat posed by malicious actors. It is imperative for\u2063 governments, businesses, and individuals to invest in robust cybersecurity infrastructure and protocols to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nashville-covenant-school-files-motion-to-protect-sensitive-information-in-shooters-manifesto\/\" title=\"Nashville school seeks to safeguard sensitive data in shooter's manifesto.\">safeguard sensitive data<\/a> and national security.<\/p>\n<p>In\u200c response \u200bto the attack, the \u200cU.S. \u2063government\u2062 has condemned the actions of the Chinese\u2063 hackers\u200d and vowed \u2064to hold them accountable. The \u200dDepartment of \u2062Justice has launched an investigation, and the U.S. Cyber Command is working to identify\u2062 the \u200cextent of the breach and mitigate its consequences.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to this \u200battack, there\u200d have been\u2063 other instances of Chinese state-sponsored cyber attacks targeting U.S. government agencies and private entities. These attacks highlight the need for stronger international cooperation in addressing cyber\u200d threats, as well as diplomatic efforts \u200dto address cyber\u2062 espionage and establish norms\u200d and rules for responsible behavior \u200cin cyberspace.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S.-China relationship \u2063has already been strained\u200b in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/stimulus-check-update-deadline-to-claim-montana-tax-rebate-worth-up-to-675-in-13-days\/\" title=\"Montana tax rebate worth up to 5 must be claimed within 13 days.\">recent years \u200ddue<\/a> to trade \u2063disputes, human rights concerns, and geopolitical tensions. \u2064Cyber attacks such \u2064as this further exacerbate the already delicate relationship\u2062 between the two countries and undermine trust and stability. Both countries must engage in constructive dialogue and cooperation to address cyber threats and work towards a \u200cmore secure digital landscape.<\/p>\n<p>As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, cyber\u2064 attacks \u2062pose a significant threat to national security and global stability. It is crucial for governments, organizations, and individuals \u200cto remain \u200cvigilant\u2062 and proactive in combating cyber threats. Strengthening\u200c cybersecurity measures, investing in technology and talent,\u200c and promoting\u2062 international\u200c cooperation are key steps towards building a resilient and secure digital future.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, \u2063the cyber attack on\u2063 the U.S. State Department, resulting in the theft of 60,000 emails, underscores the growing threat of cyber espionage and the need for robust cybersecurity measures. This breach \u2063not only compromises national security but\u2064 also highlights the\u200b fragile state of international relations. It is imperative for governments worldwide to prioritize cybersecurity, \u2064establish\u2064 norms for responsible behavior in cyberspace,\u2064 and\u200d work towards greater cooperation \u2064to mitigate future cyber threats.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A cyber campaign targeting Microsoft revealed in July resulted in Chinese hackers obtaining 60,000 emails from the U.S. State Department. Senate staff, briefed on the matter on Sept. 27, confirmed that these emails belonged to 10 State Department accounts. Sen. Eric Schmitt&#8217;s (R-Mo.) staffer shared this information with The Epoch.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":2049279,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2049278","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049278","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/361"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2049278"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049278\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2049279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2049278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2049278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2049278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}