US and allies blame China for massive Microsoft Exchange hack – WKRG News 5

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) In an unusual joint announcement, the United States and its main allies accuse China of a massive cyberattack on Microsoft Exchange last March.

The attack locked down the data of hundreds of thousands of organizations around the world.

President Joe Biden told reporters on Monday that unlike similar ransomware attacks carried out by Russian-based hackers, U.S. intelligence agencies believe the Chinese government could be directly involved in the Microsoft hack.

They are still figuring out exactly what happened, ”Biden said. “It may even accommodate them to be able to do it.”

The president says he will have a full briefing on Tuesday and at this point the White House is suspending any countermeasures or sanctions.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said if the United States takes action, it will likely be with allied countries.

“It’s a more effective way to tackle malicious activity,” Psaki said.

The US Department of Justice launched a new website last week to help private companies avoid ransomware attacks.

Randy Marchany, an information security expert at Virginia Tech, says it’s a good first step.

“Rasomware is nothing new. It has been around since 1989, ”Marchany said.

He says the hackers are just there for the money.

“If there’s no money or if there isn’t enough money in there, then that reduces the number of attacks,” Marchany said. She’s a big cash cow.

He says businesses should encrypt and back up their data, so hackers can’t take data hostage.

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