ANU network 'significantly compromised' by hackers

The Australian National University’s computer network has been compromised with Chinese hackers being blamed for the attack.

Fairfax Media reported late Friday that the university’s network had been “significantly compromised” in the attack, citing unnamed national security officials.

An ANU spokesperson confirmed to iTnews that it “has been working to contain a threat to IT within the university”.

“The university has been working in partnership with Australian Government agencies for several months to minimise the impact of this threat, and we continue to seek and take advice from Australian government agencies,” an ANU spokesperson said.

“Current assessments indicate no staff, student or research information has been taken and counter-measures are being undertaken.”

However, this was called into question by comments reportedly made by security officials, who said it could be “assumed that this cyber intrusion has resulted in the theft of information”.

9News suggested that an advanced persistent threat or APT had been discovered within the university’s network.

APTs have traditionally been the domain of state-sponsored attackers, although in recent years APT attacks have increasingly been outsourced in a bid to avoid attribution.

9News reported that hackers had dominated the ANU’s network, effectively gaining administrative rights to the university’s internal systems.