State-sponsored hackers compromised the email accounts of several journalists at the Washington Post.
The cyberattack, believed to be carried out by state-sponsored hackers, targeted Microsoft email accounts of Washington Post journalists covering China and national security.
The attack was discovered on June 13, with the intrusion potentially granting access to work emails of affected journalists.
The Washington Post notified its employees about the incident on June 15 and reset all employee passwords as a precaution.
News Corp, the owner of the Washington Post, revealed in February 2022 that it fell victim to a cyber attack by an advanced persistent threat actor.
The attack on News Corp was believed to be conducted by a nation-state actor, with suspicions pointing towards a China-linked APT group.
Mandiant, a cybersecurity firm, has been enlisted to assist in the investigation into the News Corp breach.
The compromised systems at News Corp gave attackers access to employee emails and documents.
The attack on News Corp also affected other media outlets under the conglomerate, such as The Wall Street Journal and New York Post.
The Washington Post is one of the most influential newspapers in the U.S., known for its investigative journalism and political coverage.
Jeff Bezos acquired the Washington Post in 2013.
The intrusion at the Washington Post did not impact other systems or customers of the newspaper.
Cybersecurity incidents like these highlight the ongoing threats faced by media organizations and the need for robust security measures.
The attack on the Washington Post underscores the importance of cybersecurity vigilance, especially for journalists covering sensitive topics.
The motive behind the cyber attacks appears to be espionage, targeting sensitive information to benefit the interests of the sponsoring nation.
The cyber threats faced by media organizations emphasize the critical role of cybersecurity in safeguarding journalistic integrity and protecting sensitive data.