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Report: Russian Hackers Targeted Reporters at U.S. News Groups Including NYT

New York Times
Credit: Instagram user edelage
August 23, 2016

The FBI is investigating the computer networks of reporters at U.S. news organizations, including the New York Times, that were breached by suspected Russian government hackers, CNN reported Tuesday.

U.S. security officials believe Russian intelligence hackers targeted reporters as part of a broader scheme of cyber attacks on Democratic Party organizations.

A spokesperson for the New York Times would not confirm the assertions. U.S. officials said the publication has enlisted security investigators to work with federal national security officers to evaluate the damage of the breach.

"Like most news organizations, we are vigilant about guarding against attempts to hack into our systems," New York Times Co. spokeswoman Eileen Murphy told CNN. "There are a variety of approaches we take up to and including working with outside investigators and law enforcement. We won’t comment on any specific attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Times."

U.S. intelligence officials suspect Russian spy agencies are hacking into a wide range of non-governmental organizations, including the Democratic National Committee, to gain insight into the U.S. political system.

Officials said news organizations are a key target for hackers because they can offer valuable information regarding reporter contacts in the government and unpublished reports containing sensitive information.

FBI agents confirmed two weeks ago that the personal email accounts of more than 100 Democratic Party officials were breached by suspected Russian hackers. The hacks paralleled earlier cyber against against the DNC and the Democratic Congressional Committee.

Russia has denied involvement in the attacks.

"We don’t see the point any more in repeating yet again that this is silliness," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Reuters in July.

President Obama previously warned that it was possible Russian hackers were attempting to sway the U.S. election. Clinton’s campaign has maintained that the Kremlin is behind the breaches in an attempt to help Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.