China hacking foreign Governments' computers (+)

I know that China is not the first and main objective of this blog, but nevertheless these news are fairly important to let them pass away.

Some weeks ago, German Government informed that the computers of several of their Ministries had been hacked by Chinese Army.

Two days ago, US Pentagon informed that their systems had also being hacked from China.

China denies hacking Pentagon’s computers but there are several worrying things. I copy some paragraphs of the link, you can read it entirely:

“Some people make groundless accusations against China” that its military attacked the Pentagon, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said at a regular news briefing.

“China has all along been opposed to and forbids criminal activities undermining computer networks, including hacking,” she said. “China is ready to strengthen cooperation with other countries, including the U.S., in countering Internet crimes.”

The Financial Times report said the Pentagon was still investigating how much information was stolen, but cited an unnamed person as saying that most of it was probably unclassified.

[…] The Pentagon warned earlier this year that China’s army is emphasizing hacking as an offensive weapon. It cited Chinese military exercises in 2005 that included hacking “primarily in first strikes against enemy networks.”

The Associated Press reported in July that the State Department was trying to recover from large-scale network break-ins affecting operations worldwide. The hackers appeared to target the department headquarters and offices dealing with China and North Korea, it was reported.

However, experts have said that China is home to a large number of insecure computers and networks that hackers in other countries could use to disguise their locations and launch attacks.

Well, it’s a good way to disguise an attack from other people, such as terrorists… BUT for China is a golden oportunity: not only they can claim they are innocent, but they can do it and blame others! AND they have been trained for that…

Also UK has complained because the caring and loving and peaceful Taliban are using Chinese-made weapons. This is the most laughable line in all the article: The authorities in Beijing have promised to carry out an investigation. Bet they will say they are sold without permission?

And a reader of my blog, Debbie, has also told me that UK has also complained about Chinese hackers on their computers:

Chinese attackers have launched online assaults against the network at Britain's Parliament and the Foreign Office, The Guardian said, citing unnamed government officials. It added that some of the hackers were believed to be from the Chinese military, without citing sources.

The British government refused to comment on the claim. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence referred questions to the Foreign Office, and a spokesperson there said he would not comment on security matters.

Worrying, isn't it?

(+) More about China supplying weapons to Talibans.