Chinese Hackers Accessed Yellen's Computer in US Treasury Breach
Source: Bloomberg
January 16, 2025 at 6:03 PM EST
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s computer was infiltrated and unclassified files were accessed as part of a broader breach of the agency by Chinese state-sponsored hackers, according to two people familiar with the matter.
The attackers also hacked the computers of two of Yellen’s lieutenants, Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo and Acting Under Secretary Brad Smith, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive information. Fewer than 50 files on Yellen’s machine were accessed, one of the people said. Treasury spokesperson Chris Hayden declined to comment Thursday.
The compromise of Yellen’s computer makes the Treasury breach the latest hack attributed to the Chinese government that has reached the top ranks of a US federal department. The attackers appeared to focus on Treasury’s role in sanctions, intelligence and international affairs, but didn’t penetrate the department’s email or classified systems, according to a Treasury report previously reviewed by Bloomberg News.
Treasury staff were at Capitol Hill on Wednesday and Thursday briefing congressional aides and lawmakers about the hack. The discussions occurred as the Senate Finance Committee held a confirmation hearing on Thursday for Scott Bessent, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee as Treasury secretary.
Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-16/chinese-hacked-us-treasury-secretary-yellen-s-computer-in-breach
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