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A26 U.S. NEWS
Wednesday 22 July 2020
U.S. accuses Chinese hackers in targeting of COVID-19 research

By ERIC TUCKER the U.S., Canada and the
Associated Press United Kingdom accused
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hack- a hacking group with links
ers working with the Chi- to Russian intelligence of
nese government targeted trying to target research
firms developing vaccines on the disease, which has
for the coronavirus and killed more than 140,000
stole hundreds of millions of people in the United States
dollars worth of intellectual and more than 600,000
property and trade secrets worldwide, according to
from companies across the figures compiled by Johns
world, the Justice Depart- Hopkins University.
ment said Tuesday as it an- "China has now taken its
nounced criminal charges. place, alongside Russia,
The indictment does not Iran and North Korea, in
accuse the two defen- that shameful club of na-
dants of actually obtaining tions that provide a safe
the coronavirus research, haven for cyber criminals
but it does underscore the in exchange for those
extent to which scientific criminals being 'on call'
innovation has been a top to work for the benefit of
target for foreign govern- the state, here to feed the
ments and criminal hack- In this March 22, 2019 file photo, an American flag flies outside the Department of Justice in Wash- Chinese Communist par-
ers looking to know what ington. ty's insatiable hunger for
American companies are Associated Press American and other non-
developing during the Chinese companies' hard-
pandemic. In this case, the college who prosecutors computers. Kong, federal authorities earned intellectual prop-
hackers researched vulner- say had worked together The two defendants are not said. erty, including COVID-19
abilities in the computer for more than a decade. in custody, and federal of- The charges were brought research," said Assistant
networks of biotech firms The hackers, identified as ficials conceded Tuesday as Trump administration of- Attorney John Demers, the
and diagnostic companies Li Xiayou and Dong Jiazhi, that they were not likely to ficials, including national Justice Department's top
from Maryland to California stole information not only step foot in an American security adviser Robert national security official.
that were developing vac- for their personal profit but courtroom. But the indict- O'Brien and Attorney Gen- There was no immediate
cines, testing kits and antivi- also that they knew would ment carries important eral William Barr, have de- indication from the indict-
ral drugs. be of interest and value to symbolic and deterrence livered public warnings ment that the hackers had
The charges are the lat- the Chinese government, value for the Justice De- about what they say are successfully obtained any
est in a series of aggres- federal prosecutors say. partment, which decided Chinese government ef- COVID-19 research, de-
sive Trump administration In some instances, ac- that publicly calling out the forts to use hacking and spite efforts to snoop on the
actions targeting China. It cording to the indictment, behavior was more worth- other tools to steal trade companies.
comes as President Donald they provided an officer while than waiting for the secrets for Beijing's financial But prosecutors say the de-
Trump, his reelection pros- for a Chinese intelligence unlikely scenario in which benefit. fendants in January con-
pects damaged by the service with whom they the defendants would trav- The charges are believed ducted reconnaissance on
coronavirus outbreak, has worked email accounts el to the U.S. and risk arrest. to be the first accusing the computer network of a
blamed China for the pan- and passwords belonging The hacking began more foreign hackers of target- Massachusetts biotech firm
demic. to clergymen, dissidents than 10 years ago, with ing scientific innovation known to be researching
The indictment includes and pro-democracy ac- targets including pharma- related to the coronavirus, a potential vaccine and
charges of trade secret tivists who could then be ceutical, solar and medical though U.S. and Western searched for vulnerabilities
theft and wire fraud con- targeted. The officer, in device companies but also intelligence agencies have on the network of a Mary-
spiracy against the hack- turn, provided the hackers political dissidents, activists warned for months about land firm less than a week
ers, former classmates at with malicious software for and clergy in the United those efforts. Last week, after it said it was conduct-
an electrical engineering use in compromising victim States, China and Hong for instance, authorities in ing similar scientific work.q

Is it safe to go to the gym during the coronavirus pandemic?

By The Associated Press for a workout. ters for Disease Control
undefined To ensure everyone stays and Prevention also sug-
Is it safe to go to the gym at least 6 feet apart, gyms gests checking in online,
during the coronavirus should take steps such as rather than in person, and
pandemic? moving machines, block- seeking activities that are
It depends on where you ing off areas and limiting outdoors instead of indoors
live and the precautions the number of people al- when possible. Gym staff
you and the gym take. lowed inside, says Dr. Ma- should be cleaning exer-
If cases of COVID-19 are rybeth Sexton, an assistant cise machines between
poorly controlled where professor of infectious dis- uses and regularly wip-
you live, experts say it's eases at Emory University. ing down other frequently
best to stay away. But if Avoiding the locker room, touched areas with prod-
you live in an area where bringing your own water ucts that kill viruses. And
the spread is being con- bottle and using hand san- experts say face coverings
In this Friday, June 26, 2020 file photo, people wear masks tained, there are ways to itizer also helps reduce risk, should be worn at the gym
while exercising at a gym in Los Angeles.
Associated Press minimize risk when going Sexton says. The U.S. Cen- whenever possible. q