Australian Reports Finger China as Suspect in Hacking Attack

29 March 2011 VOA News Australian press reports say foreign hackers are suspected of breaking into the computers of Prime Minister Julia Gillard and nine other senior officials, including the foreign and defense ministers.

The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday quotes four government sources saying they were told that foreign intelligence agencies, including that of China, are on a list of suspects. They say several thousand e-mails appear to have been accessed during the operation, which began in February and lasted for more than a month.

Australia's attorney general

has refused to confirm or deny the reports, citing intelligence policy. But outside experts say the hackers may have been seeking information on a number of major resource projects being contemplated in Australia.

The Herald Sun newspaper quotes an expert saying the hackers did not access a more secure computer network used by government officials for their most sensitive communications.

The reports say Australia was tipped off to the hacking by U.S. intelligence services.