China hacked sensitive U.S. Navy undersea warfare plans: Washington Post
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Chinese government hackers compromised the computers of a U.S. Navy contractor and stole a large amount of highly sensitive data on undersea warfare, including plans for a supersonic anti-ship missile for use on U.S. submarines, the Washington Post reported on Friday, citing unnamed U.S. officials.
The breaches took place in January and February, the officials told the Post, speaking on condition of anonymity about an ongoing investigation led by the Navy and assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The FBI did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
“Per federal regulations, there are measures in place that require companies to notify the government when a ‘cyber incident’ has occurred that has actual or potential adverse effects on their networks that contain controlled unclassified information. It would be inappropriate to discuss further details at this time,” the U.S. Navy said in response to a query from Reuters.
Actually, it is the Bankrupted Ang Moh Beggars who stole their own government secrets trying to sell to Chinese. And Chinese may not be interested. Chinese missiles are better than Ang Moh and counter missiles enjoying strong advantages over Lame Ass Beggar Ang Moh.
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/dipl...ficer-kevin-mallory-convicted-selling-secrets
Ex-CIA officer Kevin Mallory convicted of selling secrets to China for US$25,000 despite claims he was a triple-agent
The Chinese gave Mallory a Samsung cellphone for covert communication that was activated with the password ‘password’, and which failed to delete incriminating messages
PUBLISHED : Saturday, 09 June, 2018, 7:16am
UPDATED : Saturday, 09 June, 2018, 8:17am
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A former CIA officer was convicted Friday on charges he spied for China by providing top secret information in exchange for US$25,000.
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Kevin Mallory, 61, of Leesburg, faces up to life in prison, although federal sentences are often less than the maximum. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 21.
Mallory was charged under the Espionage Act last year after he was discovered with more than US$16,000 in undeclared cash on a return flight from Shanghai. Prosecutors said he was desperate for cash and transmitted classified information to a Chinese handler.
The People’s Republic of China has made a sophisticated and concerted effort to steal our nation’s secrets
Assistant Attorney General Demers
His acts were far from isolated as China actively tries to gather classified US information, federal prosecutors said immediately after his espionage conviction
“The People’s Republic of China has made a sophisticated and concerted effort to steal our nation’s secrets,” Assistant Attorney General Demers said. “Today’s conviction demonstrates that we remain vigilant against this threat and hold accountable all those who put the United States at risk through espionage.”
Mallory’s trial at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, offered a rare glimpse into the world of espionage. Most cases end in plea deals because the government is concerned about exposing secrets, while defendants are worried about potentially stiff sentences.
Defence lawyers said Mallory provided no information of consequence. They said he pursued legitimate work as a consultant and reported his suspicions that the Chinese were trying to solicit secrets to his old contacts at the CIA.
Ex-CIA spy Jerry Chun Shing Lee denies treason
The spycraft, as laid out by prosecutors, was hardly reminiscent of James Bond. The Chinese gave Mallory a Samsung cellphone for covert communication that was activated with the password “password”.
The phone, with a variation of an app called WeChat, was supposed to delete text conversations Mallory had with his Chinese handler. But when Mallory gave the phone to FBI agents investigating his conduct, the phone mistakenly provided long histories of text chats.
In one text, Mallory wrote “your object is to gain information, and my object is to be paid.”
The Chinese handler responded, “my current object is to make sure your security and to try to reimburse you”.
In other texts, the Chinese handler complains that the information Mallory provides is vague. Eventually, the handler becomes concerned that his contacts with Mallory may be exposed and he tells Mallory to stop sending documents and texts.
Exactly what Mallory may have provided remains somewhat unclear. Prosecutors said they are certain Mallory used the phone to send two documents, and he may have sent more or handed off more in person during two trips to China.
The information he did provide was top secret and touched on human assets, prosecutors said.
Jerry Shun Ching Lee ‘given US$100,000 by China’
But defence lawyers said nothing Mallory provided is the kind of sensitive information that relates to the national defence to trigger a violation of the espionage law. The bulk of it, they argued, was publicly available information.
During the trial, though, lawyers referred to the documents in generic terms, and portions of documents were redacted. Jurors were given more detailed information.
In all, prosecutors said Mallory received US$25,000. By comparison, former US intelligence officer Ron Hansen is facing charges in Washington state that allege Chinese intelligence paid him up to US$800,000.
Mallory’s trial occurred in the US court’s Eastern District of Virginia, which is home to the CIA and Pentagon and often plays host to national security and espionage cases.
The last espionage-related trial in the Alexandria came in 2009. Pentagon official James Fondren was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison for charges involving espionage and making false statements to the FBI.
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