A recent hack that exploited several computers running the Windows operating forced Microsoft to create a patch in order to contain the attack. The hack was reported to have targeted various United States military installation and government networks.
The hackers attack the Microsoft Outlook email service and the initial blame was leveled to Chinese hackers but China has immediately denied the allegations, according to PCMag.
Several US military networks were the prime target for the attack but were able to counter the threat in order to prevent the attempt to steal important data.
The initial attack was done on the Forbes news website and used the website to stage a much bigger hacking operation. Some security experts were surprised that the attackers used a public website to initiate its attack. A cyber security company was able to analyze the digital footprints left by the hackers and traced it back to a hacker group called Codoso.
The hackers were able to compromise the news website by using an Adobe Flash widget which in turn allowed the hackers to stage the exploits. Some reports also added that the attack on the Forbes website was paired with a separate Windows vulnerability that allowed that hackers to take over computers running the Microsoft OS, according to BBC.
Affected users were mainly visitors of the Forbes website.
The report also added that the affected widget was in the Forbes website between Nov. 28 and Dec. 1, 2014. Forbes has already made the necessary actions in order to get rid of the hacked software.
Up until today, no hacker group has claimed the attack despite fingers being pointed to the Codoso group.