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| US hacking: Military and intelligence data 'accessed' | US hacking: Military and intelligence data 'accessed' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Hackers with suspected links to China appear to have accessed sensitive data on US intelligence and military personnel, American officials say. | Hackers with suspected links to China appear to have accessed sensitive data on US intelligence and military personnel, American officials say. |
| Details of a major hack emerged last week, but officials have now given details of a potential second breach. | Details of a major hack emerged last week, but officials have now given details of a potential second breach. |
| It is feared that the attack could leave US security personnel or their families open to blackmail. | It is feared that the attack could leave US security personnel or their families open to blackmail. |
| The agency involved, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), is yet to comment on the reports. | The agency involved, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), is yet to comment on the reports. |
| Officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press (AP) news agency, believe the attackers have targeted the forms submitted by intelligence and military personnel for security clearances. | Officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press (AP) news agency, believe the attackers have targeted the forms submitted by intelligence and military personnel for security clearances. |
| The document includes personal information - everything from eye colour, to financial history, to past substance abuse, as well as contact detaiils for the individual's friends and relatives. | The document includes personal information - everything from eye colour, to financial history, to past substance abuse, as well as contact detaiils for the individual's friends and relatives. |
| Loans and drug use | Loans and drug use |
| A 127-page vetting document called Standard Form 86 may have been accessed. Among the questions potential employees are asked: | A 127-page vetting document called Standard Form 86 may have been accessed. Among the questions potential employees are asked: |
| A White House statement said investigators had a "high degree of confidence" that background information on government employees had been accessed. | A White House statement said investigators had a "high degree of confidence" that background information on government employees had been accessed. |
| Joel Brenner, a former US counterintelligence official, called the data a "gold mine" for hackers. | Joel Brenner, a former US counterintelligence official, called the data a "gold mine" for hackers. |
| It is also believed the breach of personal data of US government workers announced last week may be far larger than previously reported. | It is also believed the breach of personal data of US government workers announced last week may be far larger than previously reported. |
| Initial estimates put the number of people potentially affected at four million, but officials close to the investigation told AP that as many as 14 million might be involved. | Initial estimates put the number of people potentially affected at four million, but officials close to the investigation told AP that as many as 14 million might be involved. |
| Previous hack attacks on US government | Previous hack attacks on US government |
| The US has said the hackers, thought to be behind both attacks, are believed to be based in China. Beijing called the claims "irresponsible". | |
| The Obama administration meanwhile announced further measures to beef up cybersecurity on Friday. | The Obama administration meanwhile announced further measures to beef up cybersecurity on Friday. |
| "Recent events underscore the need to accelerate the administration's cyber strategy and confront aggressive, persistent malicious actors that continue to target our nation's cyber infrastructure," a White House statement said. | "Recent events underscore the need to accelerate the administration's cyber strategy and confront aggressive, persistent malicious actors that continue to target our nation's cyber infrastructure," a White House statement said. |