Infini by Tuesday July 20, 2021 Chef Irwin T: 582-7800 www.arubatoday.com Croes facebook.com/arubatoday instagram.com/arubatoday Page 8 Aruba’s ONLY English newspaper Microsoft Exchange hack caused by China, U.S. and allies say By ERIC TUCKER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration and West- ern allies formally blamed China on Monday for a mas- sive hack of Microsoft Exchange email server software and asserted that criminal hackers associated with the HACK Chinese government have carried out ransomware and other illicit cyber operations. The announcements, though not accompanied by sanc- tions against the Chinese government, were intended as a forceful condemnation of activities a senior Biden administration official described as part of a “pattern of JOB irresponsible behavior in cyberspace.” They highlighted the ongoing threat from Chinese hackers even as the administration remains consumed with trying to curb ran- somware attacks from Russia-based syndicates that have targeted critical infrastructure. The broad range of cyberthreats from Beijing disclosed on Monday included a ransomware attack from govern- ment-affiliated hackers that has targeted victims — in- cluding in the U.S. — with demands for millions of dollars. U.S officials also alleged that criminal contract hackers associated with China’s Ministry of State Security have engaged in cyber extortion schemes and theft for their own profit. In this Jan. 28, 2020, file photo, a Microsoft computer is among items displayed at a Microsoft store Continued on Page 2 in suburban Boston. Associated Press A2 TUESDAY 20 JULY 2021 UP FRONT Microsoft Exchange hack caused by China, U.S. and allies say Continued from Front Kong, where China has state-backed groups was a ficial said was “the kind of moonlighting and engag- been cracking down on reckless but familiar pattern aggressive behavior that ing in other activities that Meanwhile, the Justice De- democratic freedoms it of behaviour,” U.K. Foreign we’re seeing coming out of could put money in their partment on Monday an- had pledged to respect in Secretary Dominic Raab China.” pockets.” nounced charges against The Microsoft Exchange four Chinese nationals hack that months ago who prosecutors said were compromised tens of thou- working with the MSS in a sands of computers around hacking campaign that the world was swiftly attrib- targeted dozens of com- uted to Chinese cyber spies puter systems, including by private sector groups. companies, universities An administration official and government entities. said the government’s attri- The defendants are ac- bution to hackers affiliated cused of stealing trade se- with the Ministry of State Se- crets and confidential busi- curity took until now in part ness information. because of the discovery Unlike in April, when public of the ransomware and for- finger-pointing of Russian profit hacking operations hacking was paired with and because the adminis- a raft of sanctions against tration wanted to pair the Moscow, the Biden admin- announcement with guid- istration did not announce ance for businesses about any actions against Bei- tactics that the Chinese jing. Nonetheless, a senior have been using. administration official who Given the scope of the at- briefed reporters said that tack, Alperovitch said it the U.S. has confronted was “puzzling” that the U.S. senior Chinese officials A man looks at his smartphone as he walks by the Microsoft office in Beijing, China on Friday, Aug. avoided sanctions. and that the White House 7, 2020. A man looks at his smartphone as he walks by the Microsoft office in Beijing, China on “They certainly deserve it, Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. regards the multination Associated Press and at this point, it’s be- shaming as sending an im- coming a glaring standout portant message. that we have not,” he said. President Joe Biden told re- the former British colony. said. The majority of the most He added, in a reference porters “the investigation’s The European Union and NATO, in its first public con- damaging and high-profile to a large Russian cyberes- not finished,” and White Britain also called out Chi- demnation of China for recent ransomware at- pionage operation discov- House press secretary Jen na. The EU said malicious hacking activities, called tacks have involved Rus- ered late last year, “There’s Psaki did not rule out conse- cyber activities with “signifi- on Beijing to uphold its in- sian criminal gangs. no question that the Ex- quences for China, saying, cant effects” that targeted ternational commitments Though the U.S. has some- change hacks have been “This is not the conclusion government institutions, and obligations “and to times seen connections be- more reckless, more dan- of our efforts as it relates to political organizations and act responsibly in the inter- tween Russian intelligence gerous and more disruptive cyber activities with China key industries in the bloc’s national system, including agencies and individual than anything the Russians or Russia.” 27 member states could be in cyberspace.” hackers, the use of crimi- have done in SolarWinds. Even without fresh sanc- linked to Chinese hacking The alliance said it was de- nal contract hackers by A spokesperson for the Chi- tions, Monday’s actions groups. termined to “actively de- the Chinese government nese Embassy in Washing- are likely to exacerbate The U.K.’s National Cyber ter, defend against and “to conduct unsanctioned ton did not immediately re- tensions with China at a Security Centre said the counter the full spectrum of cyber operations globally is turn an email seeking com- delicate time. Just last groups targeted maritime cyber threats.” distinct,” the official said. ment Monday. week, the U.S. issued sepa- industries and naval de- That hackers affiliated with Dmitri Alperovitch, the for- But a Chinese Foreign Min- rate stark warnings against fense contractors in the U.S. the Ministry of State Secu- mer chief technology of- istry spokesperson has pre- transactions with entities and Europe and the Finnish rity were engaged in ran- ficer of the cybersecurity viously deflected blame that operate in China’s parliament. somware was surprising firm Crowdstrike, said the for the Microsoft Exchange western Xinjiang region, In a statement, EU foreign and concerning to the U.S. announcement makes hack, saying that China where China is accused of policy chief Josep Borrell government, the senior ad- clear that MSS contractors “firmly opposes and com- repressing Uyghur Muslims said the hacking was “con- ministration official said. who for years have worked bats cyber attacks and and other minorities. ducted from the territory of But the attack, in which for the government and cyber theft in all forms” Then on Friday, the admin- China for the purpose of an unidentified American conducted operations on and cautioning that at- istration advised American intellectual property theft company received a high- their behalf have over time tribution of cyberattacks firms of the deteriorating and espionage.” dollar ransom demand, decided — either with the should be based on evi- investment and commer- The Microsoft Exchange also gave U.S. officials new approval or the “blind eye dence and not “groundless cial environment in Hong cyberattack “by Chinese insight into what the of- of their bosses” — to “start accusations.”q A3 U.S. NEWS TUESDAY 20 JULY 2021 Watchdog: Ross misled on reason for citizenship question By MIKE SCHNEIDER “It is appalling that the Associated Press Trump Administration sub- President Donald Trump’s jected an undertaking as commerce secretary mis- important as the decennial led Congress about why census to brazen political he sought to add a citizen- manipulation.” ship question to the 2020 The inspector general in- Census, according to an vestigation was unable investigation from the Of- to establish that Hofeller fice of Inspector General, played a major role in the but President Joe Biden’s attempt to add the citizen- Justice Department has ship question to the cen- decided not to prosecute. sus form, Gustafson’s letter The watchdog agency’s said. probe showed that Wilbur During his congressional Ross misrepresented the testimony, Ross testified reason for adding a citizen- that the Department of Jus- ship question to the cen- tice requested adding the sus questionnaire during citizenship question to the two appearances before census form in late 2017 for House committees in March the purpose of enforcing 2018, according to a letter federal voting rights law. sent last week to congres- But the inspector general sional leaders by Inspector In this March 10, 2020, file photo, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross testifies before a House probe said that “misrepre- General Peggy Gustafson. Appropriations subcommittee on Capitol Hill, in Washington. sented the full rationale” Associated Press It is a federal crime to make since Wilbur’s staff had false statements before that by pursuing the citizen- to Republicans and non- power and the distribution been communicating with Congress. The results of the ship question, the Trump Hispanic whites. of federal funds. the Department of Justice inspector general’s investi- administration sought to The inspector general The inspector general’s many months before the gation were presented to suppress participation by probe was launched in report confirmed the con- request was made. the Department of Justice, noncitizens and minorities 2019 at the request of clusions of a congressional The evidence suggested but department attorneys in the nation’s once-a-de- Democratic congressio- investigation about the that the Commerce De- declined prosecution, the cade head count. nal leaders who said they Trump administration’s “ille- partment requested and letter said. According to critics, the were concerned that the gal efforts” to add a citizen- played a part in drafting The Department of Jus- citizenship question was Trump administration had ship question to the census, the Department of Justice tice on Monday declined inspired by the late Repub- hidden the role of the Re- said U.S.