17.02.2011, 16:09 11756

Hackers launch attack on Canadian government

China-based hackers have launched an unprecedented cyberattack on the Canadian government, trying to access highly classified federal information, Kazakhstan Today reports.

Almaty. February 17. Kazakhstan Today - China-based hackers have launched a cyberattack on the Canadian government, trying to access highly classified federal information, Kazakhstan Today reports.

An unprecedented cyberattack on the Canadian government from China has given foreign hackers access to highly classified federal information, and forced at least two key departments off the internet, CBC News reported.

Highly placed sources tell CBC News the cyberattacks were traced back to computer servers in China.

But they caution there is no way of knowing whether the hackers are Chinese, or some other nationality routing their cybercrimes through China to cover their tracks.

Sources have confirmed the attackers successfully penetrated the computer systems at the federal government's two main economic nerve centres, the Finance Department and Treasury Board.

The hackers apparently managed to take control of computers in the offices of senior government executives as part of a scheme to steal the key passwords that unlock entire government data systems.

As informed earlier, a week ago, China-based hackers cracked computer systems of five transnational oil and gas corporations and stole confidential data about industrial processes and plans. Victim computers were located in the United States, Kazakhstan, Taiwan, the Netherlands and Greece.

This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.

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