The United States formally accuses China of trying to steal investigations into the corona vaccine

The United States of America formally accused China of trying to hack the investigation into the Corona vaccine.

According to the French Press Agency (AFP), US authorities warned researchers in the healthcare field and scientists on Wednesday that Chinese-backed hackers are trying to steal research and intellectual property related to treatments and vaccines for COVID. -19.

A statement issued by the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said institutions investigating the disease had been warned of “possible attacks and networking by the People’s Republic of China.”

The statement added: “These actors have been observed trying to identify IP and public health data related to vaccines, treatments and tests from networks and employees affiliated with the COVID-19 investigation and obtain them illegally.”

He continued, “China’s efforts to target these sectors pose a major threat to our countries’ efforts regarding COVID-19.”

The two bodies did not provide any evidence or examples of their accusations against Beijing.

But they urged “all organizations conducting research in these areas to maintain cyber security and insider threat practices to avoid undercover review or theft of COVID-19 related material.”

On Monday, the US media reported that the FBI was ready to issue a warning about piracy: vaccine investigation.

When asked about the next report, President Donald Trump replied: “What is new in China and what is new? Tell me. I’m not happy with China. “” We are watching it closely. “

In Beijing on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Legian rejected the accusation, saying China strongly opposes all cyber attacks.

“We are world leaders in COVID-19 treatment and vaccine research,” said Zhao. It is immoral to attack China with rumors and slander in the absence of evidence. “

The warning comes as dozens of companies, institutes and countries around the world compete to develop vaccines to stop the spread of the coronavirus, which has killed at least 292,000 people worldwide.

Many other groups seek treatments for infected patients. There is currently no proven treatment.

The warning is in addition to a series of alerts and reports accusing government-backed pirates in Iran, North Korea, Russia and China of malicious activity associated with the coronavirus, from sending false news to attacking workers and scientists.

Last week, Britain and the United States warned, in a joint message, of an increase in cyber attacks on healthcare professionals facing the emerging coronavirus by organized criminals “who are often linked to other state actors” .

The National Center for Cyber ​​Security in Great Britain and the US Agency for Cyber ​​Security and Infrastructure Security. USA They said they had discovered widespread “password spraying” tactics for hackers trying to access accounts with commonly used passwords, targeting healthcare agencies and medical research organizations.

The New York Times on Monday reported an expected FBI warning that it could be a prelude to counterattacks approved by US agencies involved in cyber warfare, including the electronic leadership of the Pentagon and the National Security Agency.