CANBERRA, Australia — "A sophisticated state-based cyber actor” was targeting Australia in an escalating cyber campaign that is threatening all levels of government, businesses, essential services and critical infrastructure, the prime minister said Friday. Prime Minister Scott Morrison would not name the state, amid inevitable speculation that the cyberattacks were part of Australia’s increasingly hostile rift with China. Morrison said he made the growing threat public to raise awareness and particularly wanted organizations involved in health, critical infrastructure and essential services to bolster technical defenses. A range of sectors were being targeted and the frequency of cyber intrusions to steal and cause harm has increased for months, he said.

Source: International New York Times June 19, 2020 00:01 UTC