Report: Hacking of US Computers Traced to Special Chinese Army Unit

Reports have emerged that the growing number of Chinese hacking incidents against the U.S. seem to be the work of Chinese Army Unit 61398.

Mandiant, an American computer security firm that tracks sources for attacks like those against the White House Military Office computer system in September 2012, claims that “an overwhelming percentage of the attacks on American corporations, organizations, and government agencies originate in and around” the headquarters of 61398.

Although these hackers have “drained terabytes of data from companies like Coca-Cola,” they have increasingly focused on companies involved in “critical infrastructure” in the U.S.–electrical power grids, gas lines, waterworks, etc.

In an Oct. 11, 2012 speech, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said a massive cyber attack could be like a 21st century Pearl Harbor; he promised strong retaliation if such attacks were detected.