FBI fights ‘major’ hacking attack that almost thwarted child abuse investigation

Posted on : February 17, 2023
FBI fights ‘major’ hacking attack that almost thwarted child abuse investigation
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    The FBI has spent the last few days 'containing' a hack of its network which targeted a computer used to investigate images of child sexual exploitation.

    A CNN report states that FBI officials have been tackling the online threat over the last few days.

    The cyber attack reportedly targeted the FBI New York Field Office, one of the agency's largest offices in the USA with over 2000 agents, support staff and task force members.

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    The identity of the hackers has not been revealed, as the FBI is still investigating the source of the attacks.

    In a statement, the FBI told CNN: "The FBI is aware of the incident and is working to gain additional information.

    "This is an isolated incident that has been contained. As this is an ongoing investigation the FBI does not have further comment to provide at this time."

    The FBI is frequently targeted by hackers, and is often engaged in cyberwarfare with malicious online actors.

    Last month, the FBI said it counter-attacked a major hacking group called Hive, preventing it from collecting $130 million (£108 million) in ransomware charges.

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    The group in question had effectively targeted businesses and organisations for years by locking them out of their computers and threatening to delete their data if they didn't pay out huge sums in cryptocurrency.

    The FBI bust of the hacking group reportedly saved more than 300 organisations and people from having to pay the cybercriminals.

    According to the US Justice Department, undercover agents were able to steal digital keys from the hacker group which were used to unlock victims' data systems.

    The targets included a school district in Texas which faced a $5m ransom, and a hospital in Louisiana which faced a $3m charge.

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