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01 Feb 2010
MI5 has warned UK companies that the Chinese government may have gained access to their computers with the intention of remotely monitoring their online activities.
A leaked document seen by The Sunday Times claims that Chinese security officials have been offering free computer devices that contain Trojan software to high profile business users in the banking, defence and energy industries.
The devices include camera equipment and USB memory sticks that have been given out at trade events.
Business users in public relations companies and law firms are also thought to have been targeted.
A call to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills referred queries on the matter to the Cabinet Office, which said that it would not discuss leaked documents and could not offer any further clarification on whether businesses should be worried about the alleged surveillance.
However, a government spokesman referred anxious executives to the Centre for the Protection of National Industry for advice.
It is unclear how many businesses may have been affected by the Trojans, or how long the monitoring has been taking place.
Reports suggest that the MI5 document is 14 pages long and entitled The Threat from Chinese Espionage.
MI5's Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure wrote the report a year ago and shared it with a restricted number of businesses.
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Leaked MI5 documents
This week was the first time this leaked document appeared in the press, along with stories in the New York Times and the Sunday Times.
Posted by: Rosalie Marshall 05 Feb 2010
RE: n3td3v
Given the comments of 'n3td3v' and his/her apparent mastery of the English language, it seems his/her intent to discredit is highly suspicious.
Posted by: me 04 Feb 2010
It's an old MI5 report nothing to do with current events
It is an old MI5 report over a year old and was reported by the media a year ago and is nothing to do with current events. Certain media outlets including this one have been trying to merge and information fusion an old MI5 report from over a year ago into current events. To make this absolutely clear: The MI5 report is nothing to do with for instance the Google China current events. The MI5 report is over a year old and was reported by the media over a year ago. It is nothing to do with current events. Many of us are angry that the media has used an old MI5 report and old media story from over a year ago to try and give the perception that the British are sticking up for the US Government in their reckless groundless allegations against the Chinese Government in relation to Google China having intellectual property stolen. The UK Government don't want dragged into this and they have nothing to do with US Government's false allegations against the Chinese government in relation to Google China. Don't try and drag UK into your trade and arms arguments with China by proxy.
Posted by: n3td3v 03 Feb 2010
Nice try n3td3v
You would have a better chance in promoting your point if you do not write English with Chinese grammar. ;-)
Posted by: Mike 03 Feb 2010