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WASHINGTON – Russian hackers behind massive attack Solar Winds The cyberespionage campaign hacked into the email accounts of some of the nation’s top federal prosecutors last year. Justice Department said Friday.
NS department He said that 80% of Microsoft email accounts used by employees at four US law firms in New York were breached. They all told Justice Department He said at least one employee’s email account was compromised during the hacking campaign of 27 U.S. Attorneys offices.
NS Justice Department In a statement, he said he believes the accounts were hacked between May 7 and December 27, 2020. Such a period of time is remarkable because Solar Winds Infiltrating at least nine US government agencies, as well as dozens of private sector companies and think tanks, the campaign was first discovered and made public in mid-December.
In April, the Biden administration announced sanctions, including the expulsion of Russian diplomats. Solar Winds Hacking and Russian interference in the 2020 US presidential election. Russia denied its guilt.
Jennifer Rodgers, a lecturer at Columbia Law School, said office emails often contained all sorts of sensitive information when she was a federal prosecutor in New York, including discussions of case strategy and the names of confidential informants.
“I don’t remember ever having someone bring me a document instead of emailing me because of security concerns,” he said, noting exceptions for confidential material.
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts confirmed in January that this was also violated, Solar Winds It is another entry point for hackers to steal confidential information such as trade secrets, spying targets, whistleblower reports and arrest warrants.
The list of affected offices includes several large and high-profile offices such as those in Los Angeles, Miami, Washington and the Eastern District of Virginia.
The Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, where large numbers of personnel have been shot, are dealing with some of the nation’s foremost prosecutors.
“New York is the financial center of the world, and these areas are particularly well known for investigating and prosecuting white collar crimes and other cases, including the investigation of people close to the former president,” said Bruce Green, a professor at Fordham Law School. A former prosecutor in the Southern District.
NS department He said all victims have been informed and are working to mitigate the “operational, security and privacy risks” posed by the attack. NS Justice Department In January, he said there was no indication that any secret systems were affected.
NS Justice Department He did not provide additional details on what kind of information was received and what impact such an attack might have on pending litigation. Members of Congress have expressed frustration with the Biden administration that he has not shared more information on the impact of the war. Solar Winds offer.
The Associated Press previously reported Solar Winds The hackers had gained access to the e-mail accounts of Chad Wolf, the then Secretary of Homeland Security, and his members. departmentCybersecurity personnel whose job is to hunt down threats from foreign countries.
• Suderman reported from Richmond, Va.
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