US Watched Russia Hack French Systems During Election, Tipped Off Officials- Before it became public
US Watched Russia Hack French Systems During Election, Tipped Off Officials
WASHINGTON (AP) The United States watched Russians hack Frances computer networks during the election and tipped off French officials before it became public, a U.S. cyber official told the Senate on Tuesday.
Frances election campaign commission said Saturday that a significant amount of data and some fake information was leaked on social networks following a hacking attack on centrist Emmanuel Macrons successful presidential campaign. Frances government cybersecurity agency is investigating what a government official described as a very serious breach.
The leak came 36 hours before the nation voted Sunday in a crucial presidential runoff between Macron and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen. The election commission said the leaked data apparently came from Macrons information systems and mail accounts from some of his campaign managers an attack that mimicked Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee in last years U.S. presidential election.
We had become aware of Russian activity. We had talked to our French counterparts and gave them a heads-ups Look, were watching the Russians. Were seeing them penetrate some of your infrastructure. Heres what weve seen. What can we do to try to assist?' Adm. Mike Rogers told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
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