Chinese hackers have had access to the private emails of several top U.S. national security and trade officials since April 2010. The hackers have also successfully targeted many officials of the Obama administration, according to an NBC News report.

Like Us on Facebook

The report, which was published Monday, cited a senior U.S. intelligence official and a top secret document as its sources.

U.S. officials are reported to have first detected the breach in April 2010 and initially codenamed it "Dancing Panda" and then "Legion Amethyst."

A 2014 National Security Agency (NSA) briefing reported that the breach continues and Chinese hackers still had access to the private emails of top U.S. officials.

Top national security and trade officials were targeted in the hack. However, their government email accounts were not and have not been breached because they were more secured.

In 2011, Google revealed that private Gmail accounts of several U.S. officials had been breached. However, according to the NSA briefing, email accounts belonging to the targeted officials with other Internet services have also been compromised.

After hacking the emails of the targeted U.S. officials, the Chinese hackers also infiltrated their social networks by sending malware to their colleagues and friends.

The NSA briefing and the NBC report did not reveal the names or ranks of the officials whose private emails have been compromised. However, the time period of the breach aligns with Hillary Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State (Jan 2009 - Feb 2013) and her use of private email accounts.

Additionally, a document leaked by Edward Snowden indicates that China attempted to spy on the emails of four top U.S. officials by sending malicious software to their computers. Those targeted include the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead.

China has denied several accusations of cyberattacks against the U.S. in recent months.

Chinese officials have reiterated that Beijing has been a target of international cyberattacks, which it blames on the U.S

TagsChinese Hackers U.S. Officials Emails, Chinese Hackers US, Chinese Hackers US Government, Dancing Panda, Legion Amethyst, China Cyberattack US