The Wall Street Journal is reporting that last year’s infiltration into Google’s Gmail accounts by alleged Chinese hackers was actually much broader than was previously reported.

Attackers who breached Google Inc.’s systems last year gained access to computer code for the software that authenticates users of Google’s email, calendar and other online programs, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The code was contained in a repository that contained code for Google’s online applications and was also breached, this person said.

Evidently, the hackers in question are not limiting themselves to Google attacks:

The group, which is believed to be Chinese [implications that they are sponsored by the government] and has been identified by investigators by its attack methods, has broadened its victims to include law firms and utility companies, this person said. It’s been penetrating companies at a rate of at least 20-50 new companies a week, this person added.

Outside of hardening one’s own security, what other steps should be taken to put a stop to these activities? As in war, land mines are sometimes used to keep ground forces from advancing. My tech knowledge is insufficient, but I wonder if there are cyber mines which could be strategically placed to give hackers pause before proceeding.

Photo by Reuters

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