China eyed in barrage of hackings

Security experts announced yesterday the discovery of an unprecedented series of cyber attacks spanning five years that affected the networks of 72 organizations globally, including the United Nations, governments and corporations.

Security company McAfee, which uncovered the intrusions, said it believed there was one “state actor” behind the attacks but declined to name it, though one security expert who has been briefed on the hacking said the evidence points to China.

The long list of victims in the extended campaign include the governments of the United States, Taiwan, India, South Korea, Vietnam and Canada. Others include the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, International Olympic Committee,  World Anti-Doping Agency and an array of companies from defense contractors to high-tech enterprises.