Chinese hackers invaded US weather service system

Hackers have gained access to the US weather service and the information provided by its satellites. In addition, there are claims that Chinese hackers have penetrated Australian media, where the G20 is taking place next weekend.

The hack in the weather service system took place at the end of September, the Washington Post reported. The NOAA, which includes the National Weather Service, has temporarily silenced the hack and only recently released an official statement. The NOAA confirms the hack and according to Washington Post sources, it concerns Chinese hackers who managed to gain access to the systems. The Chinese embassy denies the allegation.

According to a person involved, the hackers gained access to the system via a web server. The server was connected to a large number of NOAA computers, but was insufficiently secured. The source compared the security to a house protected by a screen door.

The NOAA denied for some time that there was a hack. The security team was forced to lock down vital information during the break-in. This concerns information about emergency plans, aviation and shipping. At the time, NOAA said it was an unplanned operation. The hack would have been observed and there would have been an immediate response. It is unclear whether any data was stolen.

The news of the NOAA hack followed an attack in which data from 800,000 US Postal Service employees was stolen. In that case it is also suspected that the Chinese are behind the hack, but there is no proof yet. In addition, according to ABC, Chinese hackers have allegedly broken into Australian media and the Australian government is also said to be under fire. A G20 meeting is to be held in the country next weekend. ABC relies on statements by the co-founder of security company CrowdStrike, which regularly investigates attacks originating from China.