Emergency email warning about Chinese hackers as 7000 servers in Australia are at risk
- Chinese hackers have targeted Microsoft’s email systems in a widespread attack
- Vulnerability affects organizations using Microsoft Exchange Server
- Cybersecurity experts have said thousands of servers in the U.S. are settling in
- Microsoft has released an emergency update to try to catch the holes
Australians are being warned to secure their digital networks immediately after Chinese hackers hacked into Microsoft’s email systems.
There are concerns that 7,000 servers in Australia could be affected after Chinese hackers group ‘Hafnium’ targeted more than 30,000 service customers in the United States.
Computer security expert Brian Krebs issued a warning on his blog on Friday that thousands of businesses, cities, cities and local governments in the U.S. had been dragged by the agency using faults in Microsoft Exchange Server.
Microsoft has tried to plug in the message, which gives hackers complete control over affected systems, by releasing critical security updates.
A warning was issued after Chinese spies installed Microsoft email servers in the United States with many Australians using the same service (image file)
Cybersecurity expert Brian Krebs said organizations on the Microsoft Exchange server should restore their systems
When the patch was released, Microsoft said that the previously unidentified hockey agency had been carrying out attacks on the email systems used by several industries including defense, universities, and NGOs.
The way hackers leave behind a ‘web shell’ that allows them to gain administrative access to the victim’s computer servers from any internet browser.
According to Mr Krebs, experts who briefed the US government said the efforts of the hockey groups had been ‘worldwide’.
He also said they had ‘moved into high gear’ last week trying to scan the internet for vulnerable servers that had not yet been upgraded by Microsoft.
‘The best defense is to apply updates as quickly as possible across all affected systems,’ Microsoft said in a statement.
We will continue to assist customers by providing additional inspection and discount guidance. Affected customers should contact our support teams for additional assistance and resources. ‘
The U.S. government’s cybersecurity agency has instructed any agencies including private companies that use Exchange Server to either install the patch or disconnect the product from their networks .
While the Microsoft update captures the holes in which hackers were accessing systems, the configuration does not repair already installed systems.
The previously unidentified hockey club was first seen carrying out the coordinated cyber attacks in January (stock image)