US and Australia blame China for Microsoft Exchange email server hack

Australia has joined the US in blaming China for a hack of Microsoft Exchange email server software that compromised tens of thousands of computers around the world earlier this year.

The US administration and allied nations, including Australia, also disclosed a broad range of other cyberthreats from Beijing, including ransomware attacks from government-affiliated hackers that have targeted companies with demands for millions of dollars.

China's Ministry of State Security has been using criminal contract hackers, who have engaged in cyber extortion schemes and theft for their own profit, according to a senior administration official.

That official briefed reporters about the investigation on the condition of anonymity.

snip

Even though the finger-pointing was not accompanied by any sanctioning of Beijing, a senior US administration official who disclosed the actions to reporters said the US had confronted senior Chinese officials and that the White House regarded the multi-nation public shaming as sending an important message.

That hackers affiliated with the Ministry of State Security carried out a ransomware attack was surprising and concerning to the US government, the senior administration official said.

https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-blames-china-for-microsoft-exchange-email-server-hack/86210eb5-a4c2-48df-a59e-616a61b0f418

Joe's going to shame them!