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Friday, 29 March 2024

Hackers target United Nations networks

Credit: Reuters - 3D Animations (Next Me
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Hackers target United Nations networks
Hackers target United Nations networks

Leaked documents from the United Nations reveal that the body's networks had been compromised by hackers last year.

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RESTRICTIONS: Broadcast: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN Digital: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN Leaked documents from the United Nations reveal that the body's networks had been compromised by hackers last year.

Thirty-three servers were compromised at the United Nations Geneva headquarters while at least four were infected at the agency's Vienna office.

The United Nations Human Rights Geneva office also had three of its servers compromised.

Hackers exploited a flaw in Microsoft's SharePoint software to infiltrate the United Nations' networks, the Associated Press reports, citing the report.

Hackers were able to exfiltrate roughly 400 gigabytes of data.

According to the New Humanitarian, which had access to the documents, hackers may have been able to access internal documents, emails and databases from the United Nations.

The publication says staff records, health insurance and commercial contract information were also compromised.

Staff members were asked to change their passwords but were not informed of the breach.

A UN official told the Associated Press that it was possible the cyber attack was state-sponsored as it appeared "sophisticated." Technicians isolated the agency's data center from the internet and rebuilt its infrastructure and replaced keys and credentials to ensure network systems were protected, the Associated Press reports.

RUNDOWN SHOWS: 1.

The United Nations' networks were compromised 2.

How the hackers infiltrated the networks 3.

What the hackers may have accessed 4.

Person data of staff members may have also been compromised VOICEOVER (in English): "Leaked documents from the United Nations reveal that the body's networks had been compromised by hackers last year." "Thirty-three servers were compromised at the United Nations Geneva headquarters while at least four were infected at the agency's Vienna office." "The United Nations Human Rights Geneva office also had three of its servers compromised." "Citing the report, the Associated Press reports that hackers exploited a flaw in Microsoft's SharePoint software to infiltrate the United Nations' networks." "Hackers were able to exfiltrate roughly 400 gigabytes of data." "According to the New Humanitarian, which had access to the documents, hackers may have been able to access internal documents, emails and databases from the United Nations." "The publication says staff records, health insurance and commercial contract information were also compromised." "Staff members were asked to change their passwords but were not informed of the breach." SOURCES: Associated Press, The New Humanitarian, CNet, Time https://apnews.com/0d958e15d7f5081dd612f07482f48b73 https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/investigation/2020/01/29/united-nations-cyber-attack https://www.cnet.com/news/united-nations-reportedly-suffered-a-hack-which-it-tried-to-keep-secret/ https://time.com/5773654/united-nations-server-hacked/ *** For story suggestions please contact tips@nextanimation.com.tw For technical and editorial support, please contact: Asia: +61 2 93 73 1841 Europe: +44 20 7542 7599 Americas and Latam: +1 800 738 8377

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