Researchers discover China-based cyber spying network

An electronic espionage operation primarily based in China obtained sensitive information from computers across the globe, the Financial Times reported. A report issued this weekend by researchers at the University of Toronto found 1,295 infected computers in over 100 countries. Of those computers, 397 of the infected machines were “either significant to the relation between China and Tibet, Taiwan or India, or were identified as computers at foreign embassies, diplomatic missions, government ministries or international organizations.” The 10-month investigation of the hacker network, dubbed “GhostNet,” was launched by a request from the Tibetan government-in-exile, but found no direct involvement by the Chinese government. However, the number of “high value” infections suggests a concerted spying effort, rather than a criminal enterprise. In addition, many of the attacks appear to have originated from Hainan island, which is home to the Chinese military’s Lingshui signals intelligence facility.