Chinese hackers access U.S. commerce department system

WASHINGTON: Hackers using internet servers located in China had launched several attacks on the sensitive computer systems of U.S. commerce department in recent weeks, it was revealed. The department had to replace hundreds of workstations and block employees from regular use of the internet for more than a month, the department officials said. The attacks were targeted at the computers of the Bureau of Industry and Security, a unit in the department, which controls exports of commodities and software and technology having both commercial and military uses. The attacks seemed to be sensitive as the bureau had recently enforced stricter regulation on trade with China as the U.S. has increased its exports of such items to China.