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China Hackers Target Critical Congressman

GOP's Wolf, tough on human rights, says FBI traced cybercrime

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 11, 2008 3:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – Chinese hackers infiltrated four computers belonging to a member of Congress who is an outspoken critic of that country's human rights record, the Los Angeles Times reports. The FBI discovered that Republican Rep. Frank Wolf's machines had been "compromised" by hackers stationed in China, beginning as early as 2006; other House members could also have been targeted, Wolf said today.

Staff members used the computers to work on human-rights issues, the Los Angeles Times notes. Wolf said he plans to introduce a resolution to increase protection of congressional technology; just last week, the AP reported that officials might have tried to steal data from the laptop of the US commerce secretary during a visit to China, and use it to break into government computers.

Chinese people surfing the internet in Beijing, 22 September...
Chinese people surfing the internet in Beijing, 22 September...   (Getty Images)
Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R.-Va.) says the FBI told him Chinese cybercriminals hacked into computers in his House office.
Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R.-Va.) says the FBI told him Chinese cybercriminals hacked into computers in his House office.   (AP Photo)
Chinese men surf the internet in Beijing, 22 September 2007....
Chinese men surf the internet in Beijing, 22 September 2007....   (Getty Images)
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