US Accuses Chinese Hackers in Targeting of COVID-19 Research
By Associated Press
Published 4 years ago on
July 21, 2020
Share
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department on Tuesday accused two Chinese hackers of stealing hundreds of millions of dollars of trade secrets from companies across the world and more recently targeting firms developing a vaccine for the coronavirus.
The indictment, which officials expected to discuss at a news conference, says the hackers in recent months had researched vulnerabilities in the computer networks of companies publicly known for their work in developing vaccines and treatments.
The indictment, which officials expected to discuss at a news conference, says the hackers in recent months had researched vulnerabilities in the computer networks of companies publicly known for their work in developing vaccines and treatments.The indictment includes charges of trade secret theft and wire fraud conspiracy against the hackers, who federal prosecutors say stole information that they knew would be of interest to the Chinese government.
There was no immediate indication from the indictment that the hackers had successfully obtained any COVID-19 research, despite efforts to snoop on the companies.
The case was filed earlier this month in federal court in Washington state and was unsealed on Tuesday.
An email sent by The Associated Press to the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., seeking comment on the hacking charges was not immediately returned.
RELATED TOPICS:
Slumping California Risks Losing World’s ‘5th Largest Economy’ Title
Economy /
8 hours ago
Ukraine Uses Long-Range Missiles Secretly Provided by US to Hit Russian-Held Areas, Officials Say
World /
10 hours ago
Boxing Star Ryan Garcia Wants to Meet Netanyahu, Pledges Aid for Gaza Children
Sports /
12 hours ago
Legislation Pandering to Tribal Casinos Is a Bad Bet for Fresno Cardroom Employees
Opinion /
13 hours ago
About 1 in 4 US Adults Over 50 Say They Expect to Never Retire, an AARP Study Finds
Economy /
13 hours ago
Biden Signs a $95 Billion War Aid Measure With Assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
National /
14 hours ago
Latest
Videos
World /
7 hours ago
Police Tangle With Students in Texas and California as Wave of Campus Protest Against Gaza War Grows
Economy /
8 hours ago
Slumping California Risks Losing World’s ‘5th Largest Economy’ Title
World /
10 hours ago
Ukraine Uses Long-Range Missiles Secretly Provided by US to Hit Russian-Held Areas, Officials Say
Sports /
12 hours ago