US investigators also suspect a Chinese link to the attack, a source familiar with the probe told Reuters on Friday.
Associated Press reported that hackers appear to have gained access to sensitive background information submitted by US intelligence and military personnel for security clearances that could potentially expose them to blackmail.
It said a form authorities believed to have been accessed, Standard Form 86, required applicants to fill out deeply personal information about mental illnesses, drug and alcohol use, past arrests and bankruptcies.
The form also required the listing of contacts and relatives, potentially exposing any foreign relatives of US intelligence employees to coercion, the report said. The form also required the applicant's Social Security number and that of their cohabitant.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the investigation continued into last week’s OPM breach that the government said affected up to 4 million federal employees.
Source: Reuters And AP
aljazeera.com
13/6/15
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Related:
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- China says any allegations it was involved in breaking into U.S. government computers are irresponsible and unscientific...
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the comments Friday at a regular news briefing.
U.S. officials say China-based hackers are suspected of breaking into the computer networks of the U.S. government personnel office and stealing identifying information of at least 4 million federal workers.
AP
ctvnews.ca
5/6/15
U.S. officials say China-based hackers are suspected of breaking into the computer networks of the U.S. government personnel office and stealing identifying information of at least 4 million federal workers.
AP
ctvnews.ca
5/6/15
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US hacking: Military and intelligence data 'accessed'...
ReplyDeleteHackers with suspected links to China appear to have accessed sensitive data on US intelligence and military personnel, American officials say.
Details of a major hack emerged last week, but officials have now given details of a potential second breach.
It is feared that the attack could leave US security personnel or their families open to blackmail.
The agency involved, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), is yet to comment on the reports.
Officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press (AP) news agency, believe the attackers have targeted the forms submitted by intelligence and military personnel for security clearances.
The document includes personal information - everything from eye colour, to financial history, to past substance abuse, as well as contact detaiils for the individual's friends and relatives.............BBC