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Canadian experts crack China-based spy ring

Researchers say Twitter and email were used to steal sensitive data

The cyber spy ring, based in China, stole sensitive data from all around the world—it’s victims ranging from the Dalai Lama to the University of Western Ontario. This comes from a just-released report, “Shadow Network,” written by the Canadian researchers who helped crack the spy network. According to the report, China-based hackers breached dozens of computers using seemingly harmless programs like Twitter and email; then, they were able to steal highly sensitive files, including visa applications and confidential information about India’s missile systems. The study’s authors refrain from blaming the Chinese government directly, but acknowledge that the information could be have been sold to the state. Munk School director Ron Deibert took the opportunity of the report’s release to point out where Canada’s own cyber strategy falls short: “Unfortunately, Canada has no cyber security strategy, although one’s been promised for many years. We have no foreign policy for cyberspace either, which is mind boggling, considering how important this domain is for us.”

Globe and Mail

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