Chinese Hackers Linked to Internet Explorer Breach
An elite freelance hacking team in China appears to be behind a recent security breach of Microsoft's Internet Explorer, three U.S. security firms said, offering a new glimpse into the capabilities of Chinese hackers.
The attack has caused particular concern within the security community because it pointed out a hole in one of the most-used pieces of software in the world. Microsoft’s Web browser comes standard on machines running its Windows operating system.
The hackers appeared to target Japanese organizations by hitting a weakness in Internet Explorer, according to researchers at FireEye, a Milpitas, Calif.-based cybersecurity firm. Microsoft reported the security hole last week, but revealed little about who was behind the hack or who it targeted. Citing a trail of digital evidence, some security researchers have linked the attack to one of the most skilled hacking groups in China.
