CBS News has confirmed that correspondent Sharyl Attkisson’s computer was accessed by an “unauthorized” person or group, apparently looking for data. In a statement, a spokesperson for CBS News says that the company is “taking steps to identify the responsible party and their method of access.”
Last month, Attkisson revealed that her computer had been accessed, resulting in the Department of Justice coming out with a statement that it was not responsible for the intrusion. CBS News promised to investigate, and through a hired cyber-security firm, confirmed that indeed there had been an unauthorized access.
The CBS News statement is below.
“A cyber security firm hired by CBS News has determined through forensic analysis that Sharyl Attkisson’s computer was accessed by an unauthorized, external, unknown party on multiple occasions late in 2012. Evidence suggests this party performed all access remotely using Attkisson’s accounts.
While no malicious code was found, forensic analysis revealed an intruder had executed commands that appeared to involve search and exfiltration of data.
This party also used sophisticated methods to remove all possible indications of unauthorized activity, and alter system times to cause further confusion.
CBS News is taking steps to identify the responsible party and their method of access.”