US says Chinese hackers likely target virus researchers

WASHINGTON – Organizations conducting COVID-19 investigations could be targeted by hackers linked to the Chinese government, according to the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.

No agency cited specific examples on Wednesday, but warned that institutions and companies involved in vaccines, treatments and tests work for the new coronavirus You must take additional security measures to protect your data and be aware of the potential threat.

"China's efforts to target these sectors pose a significant threat to our country's response to COVID-19," said a statement from the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. USA "This announcement aims to raise awareness among research institutions and the American public and to provide resources and advice to those who may be targeted."

It comes in the middle strong tensions between the two countries on the source of the epidemic and the Trump administration's complaints that China has not sufficiently alerted the world to the danger raised by the new coronavirus.

The warning also echoes longstanding complaints from the United States that China has engaged in the wholesale theft of technology and trade secrets to build its economy.

Institutions that have received media attention for their efforts related to COVID-19, coronavirus disease, should assume that they would be attacked and should take precautions, said the Justice Department.

"The potential theft of this information jeopardizes the provision of safe, effective and efficient treatment options," he said.

The FBI and the cybersecurity agency said they were issuing the alert to raise public awareness of the potential threat, and announced that additional technical details will be released in the coming days.

China defended its response to the virus, and Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian denied that the government was involved in any attempt to steal virus-related data on Monday after some media reported advance warning.

"We are world leaders in the research of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines," Zhao told reporters. "It is immoral to attack China with rumors and slander in the absence of evidence."