Hacker Group With Links To Chinese Government Accused Of Targeting US Biotech Firm Moderna's Covid 19 Vaccine Research

A group of hackers linked to the Chinese government has been accused of stealing information about US pharma company Moderna's coronavirus vaccine.

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New Delhi: A group of hackers who are linked with the Chinese government targeted US biotech company Moderna Inc which is working on a vaccine candidate for COVID-19 in an attempt to steal valuable information. According to a report by Reuters, the U.S. Justice Department indicted two Chinese nationals who are accused of spying on the United States, their targets involved medical research working on fighting the pandemic. The report said that the Chinese hackers “conducted reconnaissance” against the Moderna’s computer network in January. The report said that the pharma company Moderna which is in one of the front runners of Covid 19 vaccine company had been in contact with the FBI who made them aware of the suspected “information reconnaissance activities” by the same hacking group. The spokesperson for Moderna Ray Jordan “Moderna remains highly vigilant to potential cybersecurity threats, maintaining an internal team, external support services and good working relationships with outside authorities to continuously assess threats and protect our valuable information.” The indictment released last week alleges that the two Chinese hackers, Li Xiaoyu and Dong Jiazhi have conducted a decade long hacking spree and their targets included medical research group working on COVID-19. Prosecutors said Li and Dong acted as contractors for China’s state intelligence agency and that the hackers “searched for vulnerabilities” and “conducted reconnaissance” against them. Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy has stated referring to recent comments made by Chinese Foreign Ministry that “China has long been a major victim of cyber thefts and attacks” and its officials “firmly oppose and fight” such activities. The Chinese government denies any involvement in hacking incidents that have happened across the globe. Moderna’s vaccine candidate is one of the earliest in the fight against COVID-19. The federal government is supporting development by giving nearly half a billion dollars and helping Moderna launch a clinical trial of up to 30,000 people beginning this month.