China hacked into Pentagon computer network: report

Murrell2878 · 09-04-2007, 05:35 AM

China hacked into Pentagon computer network: report
Tue Sep 4, 12:02 AM ET

BEIJING (AFP) - China's military successfully hacked into the Pentagon's computer network, raising fears it could disrupt the US defence department's systems, the Financial Times reported Tuesday.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Chinese military's cyber attack was carried out in June following months of efforts, the London-based newspaper said, citing unnamed current and former US officials.

While the Pentagon declined to say who was behind the hacking, which led to the shutdown of a computer system serving the office of Defence Secretary Robert Gates, officials told the paper it was China's People's Liberation Army.

"The PLA has demonstrated the ability to conduct attacks that disable our system," the paper quoted a former US official as saying.

One senior US official reportedly said the Pentagon had pinpointed the exact origin of the attack.

The paper quoted another person familiar with the event as saying there was a "very high level of confidence... trending towards total certainty" that the PLA was responsible.

The paper said both the US and Chinese militaries were widely assumed to conduct computer espionage on each other.

"But US officials said the penetration in June raised concerns to a new level because of fears that China had shown it could disrupt systems at critical times," the Financial Times reported.

A spokesman for the Chinese defence ministry declined to comment on the report when contacted by AFP on Tuesday.

China's foreign ministry also declined to comment immediately, asking for questions to be faxed through.

Reports of China hacking into German government systems were also raised last week between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

German weekly Der Spiegel reported that espionage programmes traced to the PLA had been detected in computer systems at Merkel's office, the foreign ministry and other government agencies in Berlin.

"We in the government took (the reports) as a matter of grave concern," Wen said after meeting Merkel.

jixxjr · 09-04-2007, 05:56 AM

...And in response the U.S. does...Nothing.

typeOnegative13NY · 09-04-2007, 06:03 AM

The US should take swift action by attacking....Ethiopia. China may be hiding its WMDs there and the people will welcome us wit praise and flowers.

JoeJet · 09-04-2007, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jixxjr

...And in response the U.S. does...Nothing.

Didn't we ban two Chinese toy makers from exporting their toys to the U.S.?

Namath2Kolber · 09-04-2007, 07:25 AM

I don't think hacking into the Pentagon's network is grounds for retaliation. It's our fault for not having a more secure site.

VickBlows · 09-04-2007, 07:33 AM

I’ve touched on this before but this is what happens when you set “top secret security clearance” as a prerequisite to obtaining a government IT job.

You eliminate probably 95% of the competent geeks from your draw pool and end up with a dude who greased the tracks on tanks four months ago configuring some of the most important firewalls and routers in the world.

winstonbiggs · 09-04-2007, 07:45 AM

This is actually good for us. Nothing better than having your systems tested when you're not at war.

Coach K · 09-04-2007, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VickBlows

I�ve touched on this before but this is what happens when you set �top secret security clearance� as a prerequisite to obtaining a government IT job.

You eliminate probably 95% of the competent geeks from your draw pool and end up with a dude who greased the tracks on tanks four months ago configuring some of the most important firewalls and routers in the world.

the government is useless. whats their defense Norton?

WhiteShoeWillis · 09-04-2007, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach K

the government is useless. whats their defense Norton?

They probably just used "security by obscurity" naming the servers Z84X11T2 or something and left a "guest" account on them with no password with the thought being that no one would ever find a server with such a weird name.

Coach K · 09-04-2007, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteShoeWillie

They probably just used "security by obscurity" naming the servers Z84X11T2 or something and left a "guest" account on them with no password with the thought being that no one would ever find a server with such a weird name.

jonnyd · 09-04-2007, 08:51 AM

yeah well I just hacked into the computer system of the Imperial dragon restaurant around the corner from me.......I put in 14 fake orders of general tso's chicken and pork with spicy chinese vegetables!!!! If only I could see hop sing's face when he shows up at all these houses for nuttin!!!!!

09-04-2007, 05:35 AM	#1
Murrell2878 Mark Sanchez #6 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Columbia, CT Posts: 21,911 vCash: 300	China hacked into Pentagon computer network: report China hacked into Pentagon computer network: report Tue Sep 4, 12:02 AM ET BEIJING (AFP) - China's military successfully hacked into the Pentagon's computer network, raising fears it could disrupt the US defence department's systems, the Financial Times reported Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENT The Chinese military's cyber attack was carried out in June following months of efforts, the London-based newspaper said, citing unnamed current and former US officials. While the Pentagon declined to say who was behind the hacking, which led to the shutdown of a computer system serving the office of Defence Secretary Robert Gates, officials told the paper it was China's People's Liberation Army. "The PLA has demonstrated the ability to conduct attacks that disable our system," the paper quoted a former US official as saying. One senior US official reportedly said the Pentagon had pinpointed the exact origin of the attack. The paper quoted another person familiar with the event as saying there was a "very high level of confidence... trending towards total certainty" that the PLA was responsible. The paper said both the US and Chinese militaries were widely assumed to conduct computer espionage on each other. "But US officials said the penetration in June raised concerns to a new level because of fears that China had shown it could disrupt systems at critical times," the Financial Times reported. A spokesman for the Chinese defence ministry declined to comment on the report when contacted by AFP on Tuesday. China's foreign ministry also declined to comment immediately, asking for questions to be faxed through. Reports of China hacking into German government systems were also raised last week between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel. German weekly Der Spiegel reported that espionage programmes traced to the PLA had been detected in computer systems at Merkel's office, the foreign ministry and other government agencies in Berlin. "We in the government took (the reports) as a matter of grave concern," Wen said after meeting Merkel. __________________

09-04-2007, 05:56 AM	#2
jixxjr Totally Addicted Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Harrison NJ Posts: 1,324 vCash: 25	...And in response the U.S. does...Nothing. __________________ "What putrid inn, what stinking tavern or pox ridden brothel hides your hoary and glutinous limbs?" Quote from letter from William Beckford to James Wyatt wondering why his house wasn't built yet.

09-04-2007, 07:25 AM	#5
Namath2Kolber Totally Addicted Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Manhattan Posts: 3,984 vCash: 25	I don't think hacking into the Pentagon's network is grounds for retaliation. It's our fault for not having a more secure site. __________________

09-04-2007, 07:33 AM	#6
VickBlows Totally Addicted Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 3,373 vCash: 2000	I’ve touched on this before but this is what happens when you set “top secret security clearance” as a prerequisite to obtaining a government IT job. You eliminate probably 95% of the competent geeks from your draw pool and end up with a dude who greased the tracks on tanks four months ago configuring some of the most important firewalls and routers in the world. __________________ I reached way back, with an Indian guide The battle I saw…I must have died

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

09-04-2007, 07:45 AM	#7
winstonbiggs 2008/2009 TGG Bill Parcells "Most Respected" Award Winner Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: 10,000 posts, CT Posts: 12,786 vCash: 1500	This is actually good for us. Nothing better than having your systems tested when you're not at war.

09-04-2007, 08:51 AM	#11
jonnyd 2007 TGG.com Funniest Poster Award Winner Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: ct via queens Posts: 8,518 vCash: 2000	yeah well I just hacked into the computer system of the Imperial dragon restaurant around the corner from me.......I put in 14 fake orders of general tso's chicken and pork with spicy chinese vegetables!!!! If only I could see hop sing's face when he shows up at all these houses for nuttin!!!!!