IMF was target of major cyber attack, report says
The FBI has launched an investigation into reports the IMF was the target of a significant cyber attack. The dimensions of the attack on the global financial institution is still unknown, the New York Times has reported.
Reports emerged on Sunday that the International Monetary fund has become the latest known victim of a significant cyber attack. The New York Times reported that the alarm was raised after what one official described as a "very major breach." Intruders are believed to have attempted to install software which would give a nation state "digital insider presence," in a "targeted attack," a cyber-security expert who has worked for both the IMF and the World Bank said. The IMF declined to reveal the scope and nature of the intrusion, but David Hawley, a spokesman of the fund, told the New York Times that the institution is now "fully functional." "I can confirm that we are investigating an incident," he added. Political dynamite The IMF manages financial crises around the world and is home to highly sensitive information about economic conditions in many nations, including those on the verge of fiscal collapse. The fund has recently been central to economic bailout programs for Portugal, Ireland and Greece. Confidential information concerning the terms of economic bailouts were described by one fund official as "political dynamite in many countries." Reports suggest that the IMF's sister institution, the World Bank, was so concerned they cut the computer link which allowed the agencies to share non-public information. The decision was taken out of an "abundance of caution," a World Bank spokesman said, even though the information shared over the link was "non-sensitive." The World Bank has now also resumed all normal operations. Custom code The attack, which is thought to have taken place over several months, is the latest in a series of high-profile computer break-ins. In this case, cyber intelligence expert Tom Kellerman, who works for both the IMF and the World Bank, said the nature of the code used suggests that it was developed specifically for the attack. The list of recent attacks on companies and institutions include Lockheed Martin Corp, Sony Corp and Citigroup Inc. Experts say cyber threats are increasing worldwide. CIA Director Leon articulated concerns this week over the "real possibility" of an attack by hackers that could be crippling. The origin of the IMF attack is unknown, but according to a US Defense Department spokeswoman, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation has been brought on board the investigation. Suspicious file transfers The IMF board of directors were first told of the attack on Wednesday, the New York Times reported, and a memo was issued warning employees to be on their guard. "Last week we detected some suspicious file transfers, and the subsequent investigation established that a Fund desktop computer had been compromised and used to access some Fund systems," said a June 8 e-mail to employees from Chief Information Officer Jonathan Palmer. The attack is thought to have taken place before former head, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, was arrested last month on charges of sexually assaulting a maid in a New York Hotel. The IMF is currently searching for a new leader following Strauss-Kahn's resignation. Author: Charlotte Chelsom-Pill (Reuters, dpa) Editor: Kyle James
IMF
International_Monetary_Fund Impossible_Missions_Force Intermedia_(company) Indian_Mountaineering_Foundation Imphal_Airport Immunofluorescence Initial_mass_function International_Metalworkers'_Federation IMF_(file_format) International_Music_Feed List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita
FBI
Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation FBI_(TV_series) FBi_Radio F.B.I._(instrumental) The_Full_Blooded_Italians F.B.I._(album) Bureau_of_Investigation FBI_Laboratory 2017–18_NCAA_Division_I_men's_basketball_corruption_scandal Free_Voters The_Shadows Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation_portrayal_in_media FBI_(Case_Closed) Fully_Booked Director_of_the_Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation
IMF
International_Monetary_Fund Impossible_Missions_Force Intermedia_(company) Indian_Mountaineering_Foundation Imphal_Airport Immunofluorescence Initial_mass_function International_Metalworkers'_Federation IMF_(file_format) International_Music_Feed List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita
New York Times
The_New_York_Times The_New_York_Times_Best_Seller_list The_New_York_Times_Book_Review The_New_York_Times_Company New_York_Times_Co._v._United_States List_of_The_New_York_Times_employees Nytimes.com List_of_The_New_York_Times_Manga_Best_Sellers Interview_(magazine)
Sunday
International Monetary fund
International_Monetary_Fund
New York Times
The_New_York_Times The_New_York_Times_Best_Seller_list The_New_York_Times_Book_Review The_New_York_Times_Company New_York_Times_Co._v._United_States List_of_The_New_York_Times_employees Nytimes.com List_of_The_New_York_Times_Manga_Best_Sellers Interview_(magazine)
IMF
International_Monetary_Fund Impossible_Missions_Force Intermedia_(company) Indian_Mountaineering_Foundation Imphal_Airport Immunofluorescence Initial_mass_function International_Metalworkers'_Federation IMF_(file_format) International_Music_Feed List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita
World Bank
World_Bank World_Bank_Group International_Bank_for_Reconstruction_and_Development Office_of_the_World_Bank,_London Bank_for_International_Settlements
IMF
International_Monetary_Fund Impossible_Missions_Force Intermedia_(company) Indian_Mountaineering_Foundation Imphal_Airport Immunofluorescence Initial_mass_function International_Metalworkers'_Federation IMF_(file_format) International_Music_Feed List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita
David Hawley
David_Hawley David_Hawley_(rugby_league)
New York Times
The_New_York_Times The_New_York_Times_Best_Seller_list The_New_York_Times_Book_Review The_New_York_Times_Company New_York_Times_Co._v._United_States List_of_The_New_York_Times_employees Nytimes.com List_of_The_New_York_Times_Manga_Best_Sellers Interview_(magazine)
IMF
International_Monetary_Fund Impossible_Missions_Force Intermedia_(company) Indian_Mountaineering_Foundation Imphal_Airport Immunofluorescence Initial_mass_function International_Metalworkers'_Federation IMF_(file_format) International_Music_Feed List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita
Portugal
Portugal Portugal_national_football_team Kingdom_of_Portugal Portuguese_Football_Federation Portugal_national_rugby_union_team A1_Team_Portugal Portugal_national_under-21_football_team Portugal_national_beach_soccer_team Estado_Novo_(Portugal) Same-sex_marriage_in_Portugal Portugal_women's_national_football_team Portugal_national_under-20_football_team Portugal_national_under-19_football_team Portuguese_Empire Portugal_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest Portuguese_wine
Ireland
Ireland Republic_of_Ireland Ireland_national_rugby_union_team Ireland_cricket_team Ireland_national_football_team_(1882–1950) Irish_Rugby_Football_Union Republic_of_Ireland_national_football_team Ireland_men's_national_rugby_league_team Kingdom_of_Ireland Ireland_international_rules_football_team A1_Team_Ireland Ireland_women's_cricket_team Peerage_of_Ireland Same-sex_marriage_in_the_Republic_of_Ireland List_of_non-marine_molluscs_of_Ireland Irish_poetry
Greece
Greece Greece_national_football_team Kingdom_of_Greece Ancient_Greece Greece_national_basketball_team Greek_Basket_League Hellenic_Football_Federation Battle_of_Greece Recognition_of_same-sex_unions_in_Greece Greece_(town),_New_York Greece_national_under-21_football_team Greece_women's_national_football_team Greece_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest Second_Hellenic_Republic Greece_Fed_Cup_team Greece_(European_Parliament_constituency)
IMF
International_Monetary_Fund Impossible_Missions_Force Intermedia_(company) Indian_Mountaineering_Foundation Imphal_Airport Immunofluorescence Initial_mass_function International_Metalworkers'_Federation IMF_(file_format) International_Music_Feed List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita
World Bank
World_Bank World_Bank_Group International_Bank_for_Reconstruction_and_Development Office_of_the_World_Bank,_London Bank_for_International_Settlements
World Bank
World_Bank World_Bank_Group International_Bank_for_Reconstruction_and_Development Office_of_the_World_Bank,_London Bank_for_International_Settlements
World Bank
World_Bank World_Bank_Group International_Bank_for_Reconstruction_and_Development Office_of_the_World_Bank,_London Bank_for_International_Settlements
cyber intelligence expert
Tom Kellerman
IMF
International_Monetary_Fund Impossible_Missions_Force Intermedia_(company) Indian_Mountaineering_Foundation Imphal_Airport Immunofluorescence Initial_mass_function International_Metalworkers'_Federation IMF_(file_format) International_Music_Feed List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita
World Bank
World_Bank World_Bank_Group International_Bank_for_Reconstruction_and_Development Office_of_the_World_Bank,_London Bank_for_International_Settlements
Lockheed Martin Corp
Lockheed_Martin
Sony Corp
Sony
Citigroup Inc
Citigroup
CIA
Central_Intelligence_Agency C.I.A._(band) The_World_Factbook Motorpoint_Arena_Cardiff MOS_Technology_CIA Cianorte_Futebol_Clube Michael_Cia Total_Science Director_of_Central_Intelligence Comisión_de_Actividades_Infantiles Creators_of_Intense_Art CAN_in_Automation Director_of_the_Central_Intelligence_Agency Special_Activities_Division Comrade_in_America The_Culinary_Institute_of_America
Director
Leon
León,_Spain Club_León León,_Guanajuato Province_of_León Kingdom_of_León León,_Nicaragua Leon_County,_Florida Leon_County,_Texas Léon:_The_Professional Leon_(Japanese_wrestler) National_Register_of_Historic_Places_listings_in_Leon_County,_Florida León_Department León_(historical_region) Leon_Robinson SEAT_León List_of_Leonese_monarchs
IMF
International_Monetary_Fund Impossible_Missions_Force Intermedia_(company) Indian_Mountaineering_Foundation Imphal_Airport Immunofluorescence Initial_mass_function International_Metalworkers'_Federation IMF_(file_format) International_Music_Feed List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita
US
United_States Billboard_200 Billboard_Hot_100 Recording_Industry_Association_of_America United_States_dollar Nielsen_SoundScan Billboard_charts Hot_Country_Songs Unincorporated_territories_of_the_United_States Billboard_(magazine) Dance_Club_Songs Federal_government_of_the_United_States American_English RIAA_Certification .us Us_(Peter_Gabriel_album)
Defense Department
United_States_Department_of_Defense Ministry_of_Defence Federal_Department_of_Defence,_Civil_Protection_and_Sport Ministry_of_National_Defense_(Republic_of_China) Ministry_of_National_Defense_(South_Korea) Defence_minister
US
United_States Billboard_200 Billboard_Hot_100 Recording_Industry_Association_of_America United_States_dollar Nielsen_SoundScan Billboard_charts Hot_Country_Songs Unincorporated_territories_of_the_United_States Billboard_(magazine) Dance_Club_Songs Federal_government_of_the_United_States American_English RIAA_Certification .us Us_(Peter_Gabriel_album)
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation Symbols_of_the_Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation
IMF
International_Monetary_Fund Impossible_Missions_Force Intermedia_(company) Indian_Mountaineering_Foundation Imphal_Airport Immunofluorescence Initial_mass_function International_Metalworkers'_Federation IMF_(file_format) International_Music_Feed List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita
Wednesday
New York Times
The_New_York_Times The_New_York_Times_Best_Seller_list The_New_York_Times_Book_Review The_New_York_Times_Company New_York_Times_Co._v._United_States List_of_The_New_York_Times_employees Nytimes.com List_of_The_New_York_Times_Manga_Best_Sellers Interview_(magazine)
Fund
Funding Investment_fund Fundraising Mutual_fund Rainy_day_fund Foundation_(nonprofit) MacArthur_Foundation Fund_accounting Private_equity_fund Asset_management Foundation_Remembrance,_Responsibility_and_Future Fund_of_funds Rosenwald_Fund Structural_Funds_and_Cohesion_Fund Pension_fund
Fund
Funding Investment_fund Fundraising Mutual_fund Rainy_day_fund Foundation_(nonprofit) MacArthur_Foundation Fund_accounting Private_equity_fund Asset_management Foundation_Remembrance,_Responsibility_and_Future Fund_of_funds Rosenwald_Fund Structural_Funds_and_Cohesion_Fund Pension_fund
June 8
Chief Information Officer
Jonathan Palmer
Jonathan_Palmer Jonathan_Palmer_(American_football)
Dominique Strauss-Kahn
Dominique_Strauss-Kahn New_York_v._Strauss-Kahn
New York
New_York_(state) New_York_City New_York_(magazine) New_York_Knicks New_York_Liberty Manhattan List_of_United_States_Senators_from_New_York New_York_GAA Province_of_New_York List_of_United_States_Representatives_from_New_York United_States_congressional_delegations_from_New_York Pennsylvania_Station_(New_York_City) Miss_New_York_USA Miss_New_York 2015–16_New_York_Knicks_season 2016–17_New_York_Knicks_season
IMF
International_Monetary_Fund Impossible_Missions_Force Intermedia_(company) Indian_Mountaineering_Foundation Imphal_Airport Immunofluorescence Initial_mass_function International_Metalworkers'_Federation IMF_(file_format) International_Music_Feed List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita
Strauss-Kahn
Dominique_Strauss-Kahn
Author: Charlotte Chelsom-Pill (Reuters, dpa) Editor: Kyle James
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation
iptc::11000000 slot::keyword topic::politics type::agency type::entity type::governmental_organisation type::organization
International Monetary fund
International_Monetary_Fund
iptc::11000000 slot::keyword topic::politics type::entity type::igo type::organization
New York Times
The_New_York_Times
slot::keyword topic::media type::entity type::media type::organization
World Bank
World_Bank
iptc::11000000 slot::keyword topic::politics type::entity type::igo type::organization
CIA
Central_Intelligence_Agency
iptc::11000000 slot::keyword topic::politics type::agency type::entity type::governmental_organisation type::organization
Dominique Strauss-Kahn
Dominique_Strauss-Kahn
gender::male iptc::11000000 meta::redo topic::politics type::entity type::person type::politics_per
Sunday
topic::none type::time type::value
David Hawley
gender::male iptc::11000000 topic::politics type::entity type::person type::politics_per
Portugal
Portugal
topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe0 type::location
Ireland
Ireland
topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe0 type::location
Greece
Greece
topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe0 type::location
cyber intelligence expert
topic::none type::role type::value
Tom Kellerman
gender::male meta::todo topic::none type::entity type::person
Lockheed Martin Corp
Lockheed_Martin
iptc::20000170 sector::20000295 sector::20000297 topic::business type::company type::entity type::organization
Sony Corp
Sony
iptc::20000170 topic::business type::company type::entity type::organization
Citigroup Inc
Citigroup
iptc::20000170 sector::20000274 topic::business type::company type::entity type::organization
Director
topic::none type::role type::value
Leon
Leon_Panetta
gender::male iptc::11000000 slot::head topic::politics type::entity type::gov_per type::person
US
United_States
topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe0 type::location
Defense Department
United_States_Department_of_Defense
iptc::11000000 policy::defense topic::politics type::entity type::governmental_organisation type::ministry type::organization
Wednesday
topic::none type::time type::value
June 8
topic::none type::time type::value
Chief Information Officer
topic::none type::role type::value
Jonathan Palmer
gender::male iptc::11000000 slot::head topic::politics type::entity type::person type::politics_per
New York
New_York_City
topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe2 type::location
Author: Charlotte Chelsom-Pill (Reuters, dpa) Editor: Kyle James
topic::none type::footer type::other