AfterDawn: News

Google points finger at China in GMail hacking case

Google halts effort to access content in hundreds of GMail accounts.

Google Inc. revealed earlier this week that an attack on its GMail service originated from Jinan, Shandong province, China. Hackers attempted to break into hundreds of different GMail accounts, held by senior U.S. Government officials, Chinese activists and others.



Google said it detected and disrupted the attempts. "We recently uncovered a campaign to collect user passwords, likely through phishing," Google said on Thursday. "The goal of this effort seems to have been to monitor the contents of these users' emails."

South Korean officials also appeared to be targets of the campaign.

Google's announcement comes a year after it disclosed a cyberattack on its systems in China, an event that led to Google downsizing its presence in the market.

"Investors would like to see Google figure out a way to operate in China, and capitalize on the growth of the country," said Cowen and Co analyst Jim Friedland. "It's been a tough relationship. And this highlights that it continues to be a tough relationship."

Written by: James Delahunty @ 3 Jun 2011 1:51

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• 9 comments

• Mr-Movies

  #1 Even if China's government was behind this phishing attack what are they going to do?
  
  #2 What the H@ll are our government officials doing using an unsecured Gmail mail server for sensitive content? Here is the real crime and something that we can control and punish.
  
  When I worked on government projects if I took and got caught emailing sensitive information to my home I would be prosecuted and thrown in jail. I guess since it is our senators’ it is OK.
  
  

  3.6.2011 11:55 #1

• nizers99

  Originally posted by Mr-Movies: #1 Even if China's government was behind this phishing attack what are they going to do?
  
  #2 What the H@ll are our government officials doing using an unsecured Gmail mail server for sensitive content? Here is the real crime and something that we can control and punish.
  
  When I worked on government projects if I took and got caught emailing sensitive information to my home I would be prosecuted and thrown in jail. I guess since it is our senators’ it is OK.
  The article didn't say that they were using their Gmail account to send/receive sensitive data. Only that the officials, who's email accounts were compromised had access to sensitive material.

  3.6.2011 12:04 #2

• Mr-Movies

  Originally posted by nizers99: Originally posted by Mr-Movies: #1 Even if China's government was behind this phishing attack what are they going to do?
  
  #2 What the H@ll are our government officials doing using an unsecured Gmail mail server for sensitive content? Here is the real crime and something that we can control and punish.
  
  When I worked on government projects if I took and got caught emailing sensitive information to my home I would be prosecuted and thrown in jail. I guess since it is our senators’ it is OK.
  The article didn't say that they were using their Gmail account to send/receive sensitive data. Only that the officials, who's email accounts were compromised had access to sensitive material. If you watch the NEWS you would know a little more than this article states. Emails have been sent about the President’s Schedule Plus which is why they are worried. If you think about it why else would they be so concerned if there wasn't some breach on security?
  
  You even contradicted yourself by this "Gmail account to send/receive sensitive data".
  

  3.6.2011 12:35 #3

• nizers99

  Originally posted by Mr-Movies: Originally posted by nizers99: Originally posted by Mr-Movies: #1 Even if China's government was behind this phishing attack what are they going to do?
  
  #2 What the H@ll are our government officials doing using an unsecured Gmail mail server for sensitive content? Here is the real crime and something that we can control and punish.
  
  When I worked on government projects if I took and got caught emailing sensitive information to my home I would be prosecuted and thrown in jail. I guess since it is our senators’ it is OK.
  The article didn't say that they were using their Gmail account to send/receive sensitive data. Only that the officials, who's email accounts were compromised had access to sensitive material. If you watch the NEWS you would know a little more than this article states. Emails have been sent about the President’s Schedule Plus which is why they are worried. If you think about it why else would they be so concerned if there wasn't some breach on security?
  
  You even contradicted yourself by this "Gmail account to send/receive sensitive data". I didn't contradict myself, I was paraphrasing what you had posted.
  

  3.6.2011 12:46 #4

• Mr-Movies

  Originally posted by nizers99: Originally posted by Mr-Movies: Originally posted by nizers99: Originally posted by Mr-Movies: #1 Even if China's government was behind this phishing attack what are they going to do?
  
  #2 What the H@ll are our government officials doing using an unsecured Gmail mail server for sensitive content? Here is the real crime and something that we can control and punish.
  
  When I worked on government projects if I took and got caught emailing sensitive information to my home I would be prosecuted and thrown in jail. I guess since it is our senators’ it is OK.
  The article didn't say that they were using their Gmail account to send/receive sensitive data. Only that the officials, who's email accounts were compromised had access to sensitive material. If you watch the NEWS you would know a little more than this article states. Emails have been sent about the President’s Schedule Plus which is why they are worried. If you think about it why else would they be so concerned if there wasn't some breach on security?
  
  You even contradicted yourself by this "Gmail account to send/receive sensitive data". I didn't contradict myself, I was paraphrasing what you had posted. It doesn't make you right though does it? My comments are on the mark so your point is?
  

  3.6.2011 12:59 #5

• nizers99

  I've kept myself up to date on this matter and NOWHERE does any article state that ANY sensitive information has been leaked. See link: http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_18190660?source=rss&nclick_check=1
  
  If anything, I've read a few articles where the author implies that these US officials shouldn't be sending sensitive information via a gmail account, but never states that any information of that kind was ever leaked. See link: http://koresecure.com/?p=4781
  
  So, my point is... that like most of the public, you've drawn on your own conclusions as to what's happened here. And to point out your own words "When I worked on government projects if I took and got caught emailing sensitive information to my home I would be prosecuted and thrown in jail." I'm going to have to expect that is the norm policy.
  
  If you can provide links to where you've read that information was confirmed leaked I may change my opinion.
  

  3.6.2011 13:15 #6

• Mr-Movies

  Quote:If anything, I've read a few articles where the author implies that these US officials shouldn't be sending sensitive information via a gmail account, but never states that any information of that kind was ever leaked. Once again you have made my point and the news has reported exactly what I repeated above. Once again "If there wasn't a breach why worry!". I really can't state it more simply for you but obviuosly you won't get it, too bad....
  

  3.6.2011 13:25 #7

• phobet

  Originally posted by Mr-Movies: #1 Even if China's government was behind this phishing attack what are they going to do?
  
  #2 What the H@ll are our government officials doing using an unsecured Gmail mail server for sensitive content? Here is the real crime and something that we can control and punish.
  
  When I worked on government projects if I took and got caught emailing sensitive information to my home I would be prosecuted and thrown in jail. I guess since it is our senators’ it is OK.
  You're assuming that they were using Gmail for government business. Though it would be convenient, that may not be the case. The people responsible may be trying to leverage access to those accounts to better tailor their phishing attempts. Or they may be looking for potential blackmail victims. Or maybe it was an attempt to develope a better psychological profile of the people in question.
  
  Only the people behind it know what they were trying to do.

  16.6.2011 18:46 #8

• Mr-Movies

  Originally posted by phobet: Originally posted by Mr-Movies: #1 Even if China's government was behind this phishing attack what are they going to do?
  
  #2 What the H@ll are our government officials doing using an unsecured Gmail mail server for sensitive content? Here is the real crime and something that we can control and punish.
  
  When I worked on government projects if I took and got caught emailing sensitive information to my home I would be prosecuted and thrown in jail. I guess since it is our senators’ it is OK.
  You're assuming that they were using Gmail for government business. Though it would be convenient, that may not be the case. The people responsible may be trying to leverage access to those accounts to better tailor their phishing attempts. Or they may be looking for potential blackmail victims. Or maybe it was an attempt to develope a better psychological profile of the people in question.
  
  Only the people behind it know what they were trying to do. It is the case that is the whole reason of this news article, it's a fact jack!
  

  16.6.2011 19:50 #9